that’s my story and I’m sticking to it • that’s the story of my life that’s my story and I’m sticking to it—said after an explanation which may not be completely true: It’s been suggested that I saw the same shark repeatedly. But I saw three … that’s my story and I’m sticking to it . that’s the story of my life—said of smth. that supposedly sum- marizes one’s unfortunate life experience: That’s the story of my life . It seems like it was just last month that I was a world- renowned and universally-respected journalist… that’s the ball game • that’s the way the ball bounces that’s the ball game—there is nothing one can do about a situation: I have to give points to Potter for her creativity…. But the film failed to engage me in its central drama and that’s the ball game . that’s the way the ball bounces—(also: that’s the way the cookie crumbles) that’s the way things happen (used with the impli- cation that there are some things that we cannot control and have to accept): He was fired. That’s too bad, but that’s the way the ball bounces in a recession. that’s the end of the ball game • that’s the end of the line that’s the end of the ball game—there is nothing one can do any more about a situation: We had some lousy management that blew away what little we had—that was the end of the ball game . Cf.: be still in the ball game—be still active; be still a part of the action: The governor is still in the ball game . He can point to a number of successes, so he can be a creditable campaigner. that’s the end of the line—(also: that’s the end of the road) this is the last point or stage: Most people just go to classified ads and think that’s the end of the line in terms of looking for a job. Note: Neither expression is equivalent in meaning to the phrase that’s the end of it—nothing more needs to be said or done about a situation: If people were good enough to bring a gift, then you just said “thanks” and that was the end of it . that’s the way it goes • that’s the way to go that’s the way it goes—that’s the way things happen: That’s the way it goes in any kind of criminal conspiracy to hide the truth. More and more people become involved, more and more crimes are committed to hide an initial truth. that’s the way to go—(also: way to go) is used as an encour- agement to proceed with the chosen plan or process: Either I’m going to think about it every day or I’m just going to try to be positive about it and I think that’s the way to go . that’s the way the cookie crumbles • that’s the way the cow eats the cabbage that’s the way the cookie crumbles—(also: that’s the way the ball bounces) that’s the way things happen (used with the impli- cation that there are some things that we cannot control and have to accept): One can’t help but feel a certain amount of sadness at the change in state of affairs, but I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles . that’s the way the cow eats the cabbage—is used when telling another person some harsh or unpleasant truth that he prob- ably doesn’t want to hear: He is fully aware of my rules, one blunder and he is off the boat. That’s the way the cow eats the cabbage . that’s what you say • you said it that’s what you say—(also: says you) is used to show one’s disagreement or scorn of the other speaker’s opinion: “They aren’t going to go to the police.” “That’s what you say .” you said it—(also: you can say that again) is used to show strong agreement with what another person has just said: “That sure was a good show.” “You said it !” there are no two ways about it • you can’t have it both ways there are no two ways about it—it is certain or definite; there is no other possibility: The company is slowly going bankrupt and we’ll have to look for another job. There are no two ways about it . Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase there are more ways than one to kill a cat—(also: there’s more than one way to skin a cat) there is more than one method to do smth.: I can marry the person I want, I guess. And if I can’t do it here, well, there are more ways than one to kill a cat . you can’t have it both ways—one can’t have both of two incompatible things or situations: It was the Pentagon PR machine that’s turned you into a millionaire. Maybe you don’t like everything they did, but you can’t have it both ways . there are too many chiefs • there are too many cooks there are too many chiefs—there are too many bosses and not enough people to do the work (in allusion to the saying “too many chiefs and not enough Indians”): The problem with this organization is that there are too many chiefs . there are too many cooks —is used to say that when too many people try to manage smth. they spoil it (in allusion to the say- ing “too many cooks spoil the broth”): If there is a problem, it’s that there are two separate committees. In other words, there are too many cooks . there is a first time for everything • there is a time for everything there is a first time for everything—(saying ) because smth. has not happened before there is no reason to assume that it never will (also: there’s got to be a first time for everything): “I’ve never had a rheumatic ache or pain in my life.” “Well, there’s a first time for everything , you know, and you’re not so young…” there is a time for everything—(saying ) there are circum- stances in which doing any particular thing is most appropriate (also: there is a time and a place for everything ): There is a time for everything you know; hence time for your private life should not be utilized for official activities. there is no escape from something • there is no escaping something there is no escape from something—1. said of a place from which one cannot get away: The jagged rocks are forbidding and dangerous. There is no escape from here. 2. said of a difficult situation that cannot be avoided or ignored: If there is no escape from check, it is checkmate and the game is over. there is no escaping something— = there is no escape from something 2: There is no escaping the fact that the government has become very unpopular. there is no knowing • you never know there is no knowing—it is impossible to know: There is no knowing whether President Bush will make further Supreme Court nominations before leaving office. you never know—one cannot be quite certain: You’d think the outcome of that case would be a foregone conclusion, but then you never know . there is nothing doing • there is nothing to be done there is nothing doing —(also: nothing doing ) 1. used as an that’s my story and I’m sticking to it – 320 –