Initial Hold & First Thanks
You are inside the elevator, see someone approaching, and press the 'door open' button. The person sees you holding it and offers a quick 'thanks'.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
second
Here, 'a second' means a very short time, like 'wait a moment'. Use it to politely ask someone to wait briefly, e.g., 'Hold on a second!'
thanks
A casual way to say 'thank you'. It's very common in quick, everyday situations to show appreciation.
didn't have to
This phrase politely downplays someone's help, meaning 'you weren't obligated to do that'. It's a modest response to thanks, showing humility.
no problem
Means 'it's not difficult' or 'happy to help'. Use it to respond to thanks in a friendly, casual way.
appreciate
To feel grateful for something. 'Appreciate it' is a common, slightly more formal way to say thanks than 'thanks'.
caught
In this context, 'caught you' means 'saw you in time' or 'managed to wait for you'. It's idiomatic for arriving just before something happens, like an elevator closing.
made it
Means 'arrived in time' or 'just succeeded'. Use it when you barely catch something, like a bus or elevator.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Oh, just a second!
This is a polite way to ask someone to wait a moment. It's useful for quick interruptions in daily life. The 'Oh' adds a natural, surprised tone; no special grammar, just casual spoken English.
Oh, thanks! You didn't have to.
A quick thank you followed by a modest comment. Useful when someone helps you unexpectedly. 'Didn't have to' uses past tense to soften the thanks; practice this for polite social interactions.
No problem at all!
Responds to thanks by saying it's easy to help. Very common in American English for casual courtesy. 'At all' emphasizes it's no trouble; great for building friendly conversations.
Glad I caught you.
Means happy to have waited in time. Useful after helping someone enter quickly. 'Caught' is an idiom; the sentence uses present perfect 'I caught' for a recent action, showing relief.
Appreciate it. Just made it.
Short thanks plus confirmation of arriving in time. Practical for rushed situations. 'Appreciate it' is informal; 'just made it' uses simple past for a completed action; combine for efficient politeness.