"How are you coming along?" "a way's off" in a short conversation

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Maple

#254441 Thu, 10 Aug 06 06:06 PM

W: By walking through spring break, I managed to save up the 500$ for the trip to Canada this summer. How are you coming along?

M: I’m still a way’s off.

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Question 1, What do "walking through" and "a way's off" mean?

Question 2, "How are you coming along?" = "How about coming along with me?" ????

Is "How are you coming along?" a common sentence you use every day? Any more similar expressions??

Maple

Joined on Tue, Jul 11 2006

An ESL student in China

Contributing Member (1,110)

Expressions

nona the brit

#254453 Thu, 10 Aug 06 06:22 PM

I suspect this is a mishearing/transcription as it doesn't make sense with 'walking'. It makes a lot of sense with 'working' though.

They worked during the spring break (holiday from college/school) and saved up the money for a trip.

How are you coming along?" = "How about coming along with me?" no.

How are you coming/getting along? = How are you doing/progressing? 'How successful have you been at saving money for the trip?' in this context.

'I'm still a ways off' - I'm a long way from what I need/'I don't have enough money' in this context.

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,502)

The name says it all.

Maple

#254479 Thu, 10 Aug 06 07:08 PM

It's a low-grade mishearing. Sorry.

Nona The Brit wrote:

How are you coming/getting along? = How are you doing/progressing? 'How successful have you been at saving money for the trip?' in this context.

'I'm still a ways off' - I'm a long way from what I need/'I don't have enough money' in this context.

It's very helpful. Thank you very much. Smile [:)]

Maple

CalifJim

#254636 Fri, 11 Aug 06 05:36 AM

How are you coming along? = What progress have you made (toward the goal)? / Are you nearly finished? / Any problems? / Do you need help?

This is said extremely frequently in the U.S. It is especially common for a boss to check up on an employee's progress on a project this way. It is also used by teachers to check on a student's progress on a homework assignment. If your neighbor says he's painting the kitchen in his home, you can ask, "How's it coming along?" if you want to hear the whole story!

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (18,304)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Maple

#254855 Fri, 11 Aug 06 06:09 PM

Got it!

How are you coming along? /"How's it coming along?"

They're awfully useful! Smile [:)]

Maple