anything (redirected from as as anything)

(Is) anything going on?

Inf. Is there anything exciting or interesting happening here? Andrew: Hey, man! Anything going on? Henry: No. This place is dull as can be. Bob: Come in, Tom. Tom: Is anything going on? Bob: No. You've come on a very ordinary day.

See also: going

(Will there be) anything else? and Is that everything?; Is there anything else?; Will that be all?

Is there anything else you want?; Is there any other matter you wish to discuss?; Is there any other request? (These phrases are used by shopkeepers, clerks, and food service personnel to find out if the customer wants anything more.) Clerk: Here's the roast you ordered. Will there be anything else? Rachel: No, that's all. Waiter: Anything else? Bill: Just coffee. The clerk rang up the last item and asked, "Will that be all?" Waiter: Anything else? Jane: No, that's everything.

Anything new down your way?

Rur. Has any interesting event happened where you live? Bill: Anything new down your way? Bob: Nothing worth talking about. Mary: Hi, Sally. Anything new down your way? Sally: No, what's new with you? Mary: Nothing much.

See also: new

Anything you say.

Fig. Yes.; I agree. Mary: Will you please take these blouses over to the cleaners? Bill: Sure, anything you say. Mother: You're going to finish your homework before you watch TV, right? Child: Anything you say, Mom.

See also: say

can't do anything with someone or something

not [to be] able to manage or control someone or something. (Also with cannot.) Bill is such a discipline problem. I can't do anything with him. My hair is such a mess. I just can't do anything with it.

have something to do with something and not have anything to do with something

have nothing to do with something; to be associated with or related to something. Does your dislike for Sally have something to do with the way she insulted you? My illness has something to do with my lungs.

See also: have

have nothing to do with someone or something and not have anything to do with someone or something

to prefer not to associate or be associated with someone or something. I don't like Mike so I won't have anything to do with the books he writes. Bob will have nothing to do with Mary since she quit her job.

See also: have, nothing

have to do with something

to be associated with or related to something. Sally's unhappiness has to do with the way you insulted her. My illness has to do with my stomach.

See also: have

If anything can go wrong, it will.

Prov. Every possible disaster will occur, whether you have prepared for it or not. (This saying is also referred to as "Murphy's Law.") Fred: Your car should be fine now, as long as the battery doesn't die. Alan: Then we'd better put a new battery in. If anything can go wrong, it will; so let's make sure it can't go wrong.

See also: can, if

if anything should happen and if anything happens

Euph. If a disaster or emergency happens. I'll give you the phone number of my hotel, so that you can reach me if anything happens. If anything should happen, I want you to look after my children.

See also: happen, if, should

If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask.

a polite phrase offering help in finding something or by providing something. (Often said by a host or by someone helping someone settle into something. See also If you don't see what you want, please ask (for it).) Mary: This looks very nice. I'll be quite comfortable here. Jane: If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. "If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask," said the room clerk.

See also: ask, hesitate, if

If you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything.

Prov. If you try to do something, you will likely make mistakes.; The only way to make no mistakes is to avoid trying to do anything. (Can be used to console someone who has made a mistake.) Alan: I'm sorry there's no dessert. I tried to make a cake, but I messed it up. Jane: That's OK, dear; if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything. It's a shame that you ruined the sweater you were making, but if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything.

See also: if, make

not able to make anything out (of someone or something)

unable to understand someone or something. (Not able to is often expressed as can't. The anything may refer to something specific, as in the first example.) I can't make sense out of what you just said. We were not able to make anything out of the message.

See also: able, make, out

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not do anything/things by halves

if you do not do things by halves, you always make a lot of effort and do things very well 'I didn't realise you were decorating the whole house!' 'Oh, we don't do things by halves round here.'

See also: halves

If you believe that, you'll believe anything!  (informal)

something that you say to emphasize that something is obviously not true He said the car in front backed into him, and if you believe that, you'll believe anything!

See also: believe, if

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you couldn't have asked for (anything) more also you couldn't have asked for anything better

this is the best thing of its type you can imagine My career has been terrific. I couldn't have asked for more. Our daughter's babysitter turned out to be wonderful - we couldn't have asked for anything better.

See also: ask, couldn't, have, more

anything but

not The minister and the church leaders are all deaf, yet the service is anything but silent.

Usage notes: used to emphasize that something is the opposite of what you might expect

See also: but

as much as anything (else)

no less than other things You need to look at reliability and safety as much as anything when buying a car. It was war, as much as anything else, that made an artist out of Westermann.

See also: much

for anything (in the world)

not under any conditions I know some guys who are police officers, and I wouldn't take that job for anything. Bill said he wouldn't trade the experience of living in Guatemala for anything in the world.

have nothing to do with somebody/something

to not involve someone or something This argument has nothing to do with me. Most of the provisions of the new law have nothing to do with terrorism. She's from a small town, but that has nothing to do with it, I think.

See also: have, nothing

have to do with somebody/something

to deal with something or someone My question has to do with last week's assignment.

See also: have

not take anything for granted

to question everything, including what is usually accepted as true He did not take his luck for granted and worked constantly to be an even better dancer.

Usage notes: also used in the form take nothing for granted: The president took nothing for granted and worked hard to gain the support of Congress.

Opposite of: take something for granted

See also: grant, take