It’s Christmas season and so here is one of those expressions, Be there with bells on, that I tend to use in both a serious and sarcastic way… depending on the event! Remember, when being sarcastic, it’s important to use tone and intonation properly or people may not know that you want to be sarcastic. Even more so, be careful that someone doesn’t misinterpret your real interest to attend their event as sarcastic. To show genuine interest, your intonation should go up at the end of the sentence. For sarcasm, it’s quite common for intonation to go up at the verb BE and a noun BELLS. Another option is to say it without using any intonation at all.
BE THERE WITH BELLS ON
- Used to show enthusiasm for attending an event.
- I can’t wait to see you tonight! I’ll be there with bells on.
- Thanks for the invite. Be there w1th bells on.
- Often used in a sarcastic way to say that you are not enthusiastic about attending something.
- A: So, are you going to the office Christmas party?
- B: I guess I’ll be there w1th bells on since I don’t really have another option.
- A: I know you don’t like Karen, but will you please come to her house for dinner with me on Thursday?
- B: Yeah, I’ll be there w1th bells on.
CURSOS INGLES
En la Cámara de Comercio de Álava damos clases de inglés a mayores de 16 años. Ofrecemos cursos personalizados a las necesidades de cada alumno y alumna. Pincha aquí para recibir más información sobre los cursos que ofrecemos online y de forma presencial.
- Preparación de exámenes
- Business English
- Conversation
- Inglés General
EXPRESSION SESSIONS
Take a look at some of our other Expression Session posts:
Expression Session: not my circus, not my monkeys
Expression Session: rub salt in someone’s wound
