Overheard (#2)

The expression: Somehow or another

Piece of dialog: - Will you be able to finish everything?
- I’ll do it somehow or another.

Meaning: It might be difficult, but I’ll find some solution; I’ll accomplish my goal
(even though it may seem difficult or impossible); I’ll come up with some way to
do it.

Explanation: This expression is used to emphasize that the person is an optimist and is
not going to give up.

Other examples: I’ll get into college somehow or another;
somehow or another, I’ll figure out a plan

Similar expressions: some way or another; one way or another; no matter what

Overheard (#1)

The expression: It was just a disaster

Piece of dialog:
Speaker 1 How did your party go?
Speaker 2 It rained the whole time. It was just a disaster!

Meaning: It was really bad; it was awful

Explanation: The ‘just’ in just a disaster is used for emphasis. This could be to
emphasize something good as well as bad: It was just great!

Other examples: It was just terrible; It was just wonderful

Similar expressions: It was a total disaster; It was a total success
It was simply a disaster; It was simply wonderful

New Column: Overheard

For the past several years, I’ve written down phrases and expressions I hear in conversations between native English speakers on the street, in restaurants, in elevators, on the commuter train, and dozens of other places. This could be perceived as being impolite or even eavesdropping, but as an English teacher, of course I’m not interested in the content of what they’re saying; I just want to teach my students the most common English people use every day!

In this column, I will report my findings directly to you.