ESL Podcast 873 - Avoiding Giving an Opinion

inside scoop - secret information that is not being shared publicly

What's the inside scoop on the merger? Is it going to happen?

you're asking the wrong person - a phrase meaning that one does not have the information another person has asked one for; I don't know

A: What's that man's name? B: You're asking the wrong person. I've never seen him before.

don't be like that - a phrase used to ask someone to change his or her behavior or attitude, or to stop doing something, usually used to encourage someone to be more optimistic or helpful

I know you're disappointed, but don't be like that. Try to smile and think happy thoughts.

to confide in - to trust someone and share one's secrets and personal thoughts with that person

If you want me to confide in you, you have to promise not to share what I say with anyone else.

unreasonable - not rational or logical; demanding too much; unfair or outrageous

It seems unreasonable to ask new employees to attend Saturday training meetings without pay them.

I really couldn't say - I don't know; I'm not sure; a phrase used when one cannot answer or does not want to answer

A: How long will it take the agency to process the application? B: I really couldn't say. It depends on how busy the office is right now.

close-mouthed - not wanting to share information; not speaking about a particular topic

Don't be so close-mouthed during an interview! If you don't answer their questions openly and thoroughly, they'll think you're hiding something.

opinion - a perspective or view on something; a judgment about something; what one believes or how one feels about something

Geraldo and his wife have very different opinions on how to raise children.

I've never given it much thought - a phrase used to mean that one has never spent time thinking about something and does not have a strong opinion about it

Before he became a parent, Piotr had never given much thought to the cost of diapers.

any of (one's) business - something that affects oneself personally and needs to be considered or dealt with

What our soldiers do during their free time isn't any of our business - unless they're wearing their uniform at the time.

to speculate on - to wonder and think about something and form a belief or opinion about it without any evidence or proof; to conjecture

A lot of economists are speculating on future housing prices, but nobody knows for sure what will happen.

It's only human - a phrase used to talk about negative things that all people do, even if they don't want to or intend to

We've all made mistakes. It's only human. The important thing is that you apologize and try not to do it again.

to leave (someone) - to break up with someone; to end a romantic relationship

Quentin left Dynee when he found out that she had been dishonest with him.

Your guess is as good as mine - a phrase used to mean that one does not have any information about something and does not know any more or less than another person

A: What's the weather going to be like next weekend? B: I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine.

either way - either for or against something; with either of two options being equally likely

If the weather is nice, the reception will be on the beach; if it's rainy, it will be inside the hotel. Either way, we'll have a great time.