to be my guest
5
5.3
- idiom
:
adelante
- If you want to leave early, be my guest.
So if this interpretation works for you, be my guest.
- So if this interpretation works for you, be my guest.
- If you want to wear white all year round, be my guest.
- If you think it's more fun to say wet Pluto then wet Goofy, be my guest.
- If there's anyone out there who wants to try this and make it work, by all means be my guest.
- Please be my guest to vote for the bastard you hate the least this year.
Examples
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If that's what you have to tell yourself, then be my guest.
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Please, please, be my guest.
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You want to run, be my guest.
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So when the time comes and you decide to leave, be my guest.
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Anytime you want to jump in here, be my guest.
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You'll be my guest tonight.
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Please be my guest.
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Be my guest, sir
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If you think you can solve this problem better, be my guest.
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Feel free to use my computer; be my guest.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To ask someone politely to come or take part in an event
159
2.4
You can do something without asking for permission or worrying
How Informal
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal parts ('be' + 'my' + 'guest') evoke the idea of treating someone as an invited guest, which is related to offering hospitality or permission, but the phrase functions idiomatically as a polite way to grant permission or invite someone to do something. Because the core idea is connected to the constituents but the pragmatic use (allowing or encouraging an action) is a conventionalized, non-literal usage that a learner may not fully predict from the words alone, it is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
The phrase be my guest may come from old offers of welcome in someone's home: a host would say be my guest to tell a visitor they could sit, eat, or help themselves. So today be my guest means 'go ahead' or 'you have my permission'.