as the next person can
- idiom
:
como cualquier persona
- I can cook as the next person can.
Examples
-
She gets nervous when public speaking as the next person can.
-
I enjoy a good movie as the next person can, but I don't watch TV every day.
-
He likes a challenge as the next person can, but sometimes he prefers to play it safe.
-
She loves to dance as the next person can!
-
He enjoys a good meal as the next person can, but he also likes to save money.
-
I appreciate a fun night out as the next person can, though I often prefer staying at home.
-
She enjoys reading novels as the next person can, but she doesn't have much free time.
Antonyms
How Typical
Surface Forms
Morphology
as + the + next + person + can
The meaning 'to the same degree as anyone else' is directly derivable from the constituent words using a common comparative construction: 'as' ... 'can' sets up equality of ability and 'the next person' functions as 'any other person.' This pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the parts should be able to infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
As the next person can may come from the simple image of standing beside someone and comparing yourself to them, the next person. So saying you do something as the next person can means you do it 'to the same degree as anyone else'.