ONLY IF ...

Dear Dr English,

I would like to know the meaning of Òonly ifÓ, as I have come across the phrase many times in books and in conversation. I have no idea what it means exactly and how to use it properly. Thank you for your help.

Siriporn J.

ÒOnly ifÓ or Òif onlyÓ is used in two ways; firstly to introduce a reason for doing something which you think is good, even though it might not be a very good one.

I'll go out with you tonight, if only to prevent you from driving home after getting drunk.
I will tell you where I have been the whole day if only for your peace of mind.

Secondly, we use Òif onlyÓ to express a wish or desire, especially a wish that something in the past had happened differently. With this type of use, quite often it appears as an Òif-clauseÓ without a main clause

If only we had reached the airport before she checked in.
If only we had met earlier.

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Odds and ends

Dear Dr English,

I found the phrase, Òodds and endsÓ in a magazine. I am not exactly sure what it means. Can you help?

Satanee Sinsomboon

At home, I am pretty sure everybody has unimportant objects of all sorts. These miscellaneous items are called odds and ends.

During the holiday, I tidied up my room, washed the curtains, and put the odds and ends that were scattered everywhere into one box.

The phrase can also mean unimportant jobs.

I enjoy doing the odds and ends around the house because it makes the place tidy and gives me light exercise at the same time.

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A spare tyre

Dear Dr English,

What does it mean when somebody said he had a spare tyre, when he was not talking about cars at all? I believe I missed something in his point.

Garoon

My magic eyes can see that your conversation partner is a man who is quite big around his tummy. Oh no - don't mistake me for an old witch; the term Òspare tyreÓ is used humorously by English people to describe that bulging ring of fat around the waist. So when someone says that they have a spare tyre, they are talking about their broad waistline.

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