nice (redirected from niceness)

(I) had a nice time. and (I) had a good time.

the standard good-bye and thank you said to a host or hostess by a departing guest. John: Thank you. I had a nice time. Sally: Don't stay away so long next time. Bye. Mary: Had a nice time. Bye. Got to run. Sue: Bye. Drive safely.

See also: had, time

(It's been) good talking to you. and (It's) been good to talk to you.; (It's been) nice talking to you.

a polite phrase said upon departure, at the end of a conversation. Mary (as the elevator stops): Well, this is my floor. I've got to get off. John: Bye, Mary. It's been good talking to you. John: It's been good talking to you, Fred. See you around. Fred: Yeah. See you.

See also: good, talk

(It's) good to be here. and (It's) nice to be here.

I feel welcome in this place.; It is good to be here. John: I'm so glad you could come. Jane: Thank you. It's good to be here. Alice: Welcome to our house! John: Thank you, it's nice to be here.

See also: good, here

(It's) good to have you here. and (It's) nice to have you here.

Welcome to this place.; It is good that you are here. John: It's a pleasure to have you here. Jane: Thank you for asking me. Alice: Oh, I'm so glad I came! Fred: Nice to have you here.

See also: good, have, here

(It's) nice to meet you.

an expression said just after being introduced to someone. Tom: Sue, this is my sister, Mary. Sue: It's nice to meet you, Mary. Mary: How are you, Sue? Bob: I'm Bob. Nice to see you here. Jane: Nice to meet you, Bob.

See also: meet

(It's) nice to see you.

an expression said when greeting or saying good-bye to someone. Mary: Hi, Bill. It's nice to see you. Bill: Nice to see you, Mary. How are things? John: Come on in, Jane. Nice to see you. Jane: Thanks, and thank you for inviting me.

See also: see

Have a good trip, and Have a nice trip.

Have a pleasant journey. (Compare this with Have a safe trip. This phrase avoids references to safety.) As Sue stepped onto the plane, someone in a uniform said, "Have a nice trip." "Have a good trip," said Bill, waving his good-byes.

See also: good, have, trip

Have a nice day. and Have a good day.; Have a nice one.; Have a good one.

Cliché an expression said when parting or saying good-bye. (This is now quite hackneyed, and many people are annoyed by it.) Clerk: Thank you. Tom: Thank you. Clerk: Have a nice day. Bob: See you, man! John: Bye, Bob. Have a good one!

See also: day, have

Have a nice flight.

Please enjoy your flight. (Said when wishing someone well on an airplane trip. Often said by airline personnel to their passengers.) Clerk: Here's your ticket, sir. Have a nice flight. Fred: Thanks. As Mary boarded the plane, the flight attendant said, "Have a nice flight."

See also: flight, have

lucky break and a nice break; a big break

significant good fortune or opportunity. I need a lucky break about now. She's never had a lucky break. Mary is going to get a big break soon.

See also: break, lucky

Mr. Nice Guy

a friendly, forgiving fellow. You II find that I am Mr. Nice Guy as long as you play fair with me. Oh, my boss is Mr. Nice Guy. He'll give me the day off, I'm sure.

See also: guy

nice and some quality

[being or having] enough of some quality; adequately; sufficiently. It is nice and cool this evening. I think your steak is nice and done now, just the way you like it.

See also: and, quality, some

Nice going! and Good job!; Good going!; Nice job! 

1. Inf. That was done well. John: Well, I'm glad that's over. Sally: Nice going, John! You did a good job. Tom: Nice job, Bill! Bill: Thanks, Tom!

2. Fig. That was done poorly. (Sarcastic.) Fred: I guess I really messed it up. Bill: Nice job, Fred! You've now messed us all up! Fred: Well, I'm sorry. "Nice going," frowned Jane, as Tom upset the bowl of potato chips.

Nice guys finish last.

Prov. You will never be able to get what you want by being kind and considerate. The unscrupulous salesman advised his trainees, "Don't worry if you have to lie about the product to get the customer to buy it. Nice guys finish last."

See also: finish, guy, last

Nice meeting you.

It is nice to have met you. (Said when leaving someone whose acquaintance you have just made.) I must go now, Fred. Nice meeting you. Well, nice meeting you. I must get home now.

See also: meeting

Nice place you have here.

Your home is nice. (A compliment paid by a guest. The word place might be replaced with home, house, room, apartment, etc.) Jane came in and looked around. "Nice place you have here," she said. Bob: Come in. Welcome. Mary: Nice place you have here. Bob: Thanks. We like it.

See also: have, here, place

Nice weather we're having. 

1. Lit. Isn't the weather nice? (Sometimes used to start a conversation with a stranger.) Bill: Nice weather we're having. Bob: Yeah. It's great. Mary glanced out the window and said to the lady sitting next to her, "Nice weather we're having."

2. Fig. Isn't this weather bad? (Sarcastic.) Bill: Hi, Tom. Nice weather we're having, huh? Tom: Yeah. Gee, it's hot! Mary: Nice weather we're having! Sally: Sure. Lovely weather for ducks.

See also: have, weather

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a nice little earner  (British & Australian informal)

something such as a job or a business that allows you to earn a lot of money His picture-framing business is a nice little earner.

See also: little

be as nice as pie  (informal)

if someone is nice as pie, they are friendly to you when you are expecting them not to be I came in this morning expecting him to be furious with me and he was nice as pie.

See also: pie

Nice one!  (British & Australian informal)

something that you say when you have just heard that someone has done something which you think is good 'Graham's brought some champagne along to mark the occasion.' 'Oh, nice one, Graham!'

Nice work if you can get it!

something that you say when you are talking about a way of earning money easily that you would do if you had the opportunity Top soap opera stars are paid around £2,000 an episode. Nice work if you can get it!

See also: can, get, if, work

No more Mr Nice Guy.

something that you say when you have decided to behave in a less pleasant way I'm fed up with people taking advantage of me. From now on, it's no more Mr Nice Guy.

See also: guy, more