xiaokaoy
Why does Olivia say "tell me about it" in this dialogue? What does it really mean? Sarah: Well, I was renting a room in a shared house, but now the landlord has decided to sell the house, so we all have to move out... Magda: Oh no...that can be really difficult in London. It’s so expensive here... Sarah: I know, I’m not sure I’ll be able to afford it... Olivia: TELL ME ABOUT IT! Sarah: About what? Olivia: Sorry...I just mean, I know how expensive life is! Sarah: Why’s that? Magda: Olivia wants Harry to set up a website for her, but he’s asked for loads of money!
May 22, 2015 5:46 AM
Answers · 3
1
Normally, "Tell me about it" is an idiomatic expression meaning that Olivia understands from personal experience what Sarah just mentioned, and Olivia agrees completely. I'm not familiar with where this dialogue is from but, it's strange that Sarah seems to interpret the words literally as a request to "tell her about it." I imagine it was done for comic effect -- is Sarah a non-native English speaker, or is she just a bit weird? Alternatively, would Olivia have some reason to think Sarah wouldn't have had this kind of experience?
May 22, 2015
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