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 #2 (permalink) Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:02 am Damage |
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Hi Pamela,
You asked:
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Several years ago sitting at the lesson my teacher asked me "What's the damage?" I gave a blank look at him caused by total ignorance of this expression(figurative meaning).
It turned out to be "what's time is it?"
Have you ever heard this expression?
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I've honestly never heard that expression used to mean that. In the figurative sense to me it has always referred to the cost of something. If you're at a restaurant and are given the bill, other members of your party might well ask: What's the damage? wanting to know what the cost of the meal was.
Alan
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Alan
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| #3 (permalink) Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:10 am What's the damage |
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Hi Alan
Interesting! And I've honestly never heard that expression used in a sense of "How much does the meal cost( dinner...)." |
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 Pamela
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 1271
Location: RF
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| #4 (permalink) Thu Jul 06, 2006 15:05 pm What's the damage |
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Hi Pamela
I also know that expression as an idiomatic way of asking "How much is the bill". I doesn't have to be in a restaurant. It could also be the bill for the repair of your car, for example. You just want to know how much the final bill for something is going to "damage" your bank account. :lol:
Like Alan, I've also never heard this expression used to mean "What time is it?" Never. :shock:
Amy
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Yankee
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| #5 (permalink) Thu Jul 06, 2006 15:17 pm What's the damage |
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| Yankee wrote: |
Hi Pamela
I also know that expression as an idiomatic way of asking "How much is the bill". I doesn't have to be in a restaurant. It could also be the bill for the repair of your car, for example. You just want to know how much the final bill for something is going to "damage" your bank account. :lol:
Like Alan, I've also never heard this expression used to mean "What time is it?" Never. :shock:
Amy |
Hi Amy
Thanks for your feedback. To tell the truth, I searched this expression in Google and found the meanings similar to"How much is the bill?" without any hint of another meaning "What time is it?"
It turns out that my teacher was mistaken :( |
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Pamela
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Location: RF
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| #6 (permalink) Sat Jul 08, 2006 12:18 pm What's the damage |
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| Pamela wrote: |
| It turns out that my teacher was mistaken :( |
Yes, I'd agree with the others that your teacher used this expression in an odd way. I've also never heard it to mean anything but, "What's the bill?" |
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Jamie (K)
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| #7 (permalink) Sun Jul 09, 2006 17:01 pm What's the damage |
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| Pamela wrote: |
Hi Alan
Interesting! And I've honestly never heard that expression used in a sense of "How much costs the meal( dinner...)." |
what about "how much does the meal cost?" |
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27029450
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| #8 (permalink) Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:34 am What's the damage |
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| 27029455 wrote: |
| Pamela wrote: |
Hi Alan
Interesting! And I've honestly never heard that expression used in a sense of "How much costs the meal( dinner...)." |
what about "how much does the meal cost?" |
It's right. |
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Pamela
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Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 1271
Location: RF
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| Transnational vs. international | Difference between: You always say and You are always saying |
