I'll

I must/I'll love you and leave you. (humorous)

something that you say when you say goodbye to someone that you are leaving. Well, I'm sure you've got work to be doing so I'll love you and leave you.

See also: leave, love, must

I'll be a monkey's uncle! (old-fashioned)

something that you say when you are very surprised. Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. I never thought Bill would remarry.

See also: uncle

I'll believe it when I see it.

something that you say to show that you do not think something will happen, and you will not believe it until it does happen. He says he's going to decorate the house, but I'll believe it when I see it.

See also: believe, see

I'll eat my hat (old-fashioned)

if you say you will eat your hat if something happens or does not happen, you mean you will be very surprised if it happens or does not happen. If we can't beat a second-rate team like Sheffield, I'll eat my hat.

See also: eat, hat

I'll give you what for! (informal)

something that you say when you are very angry with someone and intend to punish them. I'll give you what for, young lady, coming home at 2 o'clock in the morning!

See also: give

I'll take a rain check (American, British & Australian, informal, American, informal)

something that you say when you cannot accept someone's invitation to do something but you would like to do it another time. I'll take a rain check on that drink tonight, if that's all right. (often + on) I won't play tennis this afternoon but can I get a rain check?

See also: check, rain, take

I'll wring your neck! (informal)

something that you say when you are very angry with someone. I'll wring his neck if he does it again. I could wring his neck, I feel so annoyed with him.

See also: neck, wring

I'll/We'll cross that bridge when I/we come to it.

something that you say in order to tell someone that you will not worry about a possible problem but will deal with it if it happens. 'What if the flight is delayed?' 'I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.'

See also: bridge, come, cross, that

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

something that you say to tell someone that you will help them if they will help you. I do have some information you might be interested in, but what can you offer me in return? You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

See also: back, scratch

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I'll be damned

I am surprised. “Well, I'll be damned,” he said when he saw that a thousand people had come to hear him speak.

See also: damned

I'll be damned if I do something

I will not let something happen. I'll be damned if I let her tell me that I don't belong here.

See also: damned

I'll say

I agree. “We produce a wide variety of food on our farm.” “Boy, I'll say — everything from melons to beans to meat!”

Etymology: based on the full form I will say the same thing

See also: say