as far as I know	I dont know for sure, but I think
but all the same	but nevertheless, but despite this
but I'll say this for	but you can't criticise sb/sth for(used to balance criticism)
but rest assured	but I promise
by the sound of it	based on what sb has told me/what I have read/heard
from what I can gather/I gather that	based on the informationI have, I think I am right when I say
you'll have a job doing sth	it will be difficult for you to do sth
how come	an informal way of asking why
I don't know how about you, but I	used when you are telling sb what you would like to do
I know for a fact that	I know for sure that
it's all very well	it's okay for you but not for me because my circumstances are different
I was led to believe that	sb told me that sth was true/possible
I wish to goodness	I really wish
let's face it	we must accept that
(you) mark my words	remeber what I am about to say because I am sure it will happen
no wonder../ small wonder	it's not surprising
to be perfectly honest	to be completely truthful
sb struck me as	it seemed to me that sb was (first impressions)
surely you are not (doing sth)	I think that sth would be a mistake
whatever possessed you to..?	why did you..?
where/what/who/etc on earth..?	it's used after question words to emphasise surprise or anger in a question
with all due respect	(formal) polite way to indroduce criticism, contradiction etc
... and to cap it all	used to indroduce the last and worst thing in a list of bad things
to get it over (and done) with	to do sth unpleasant so that you no longer have to think or worry about it
I can't bear/hate/love, etc it when	used to emphasise how you feel abouth sth
I'll see to it	I will make sure that sth happens/is done
I/we would appreciate it if you could	(formal) please could you
I would prefer it if you + past tense	a polite way of saying please do sth/please don't do sth
legent has it that	there is a legend that says
to put it bluntly	used to introduce sth which is very direct and which might offend or surprise
to put your foot in it	accidentally do or say sth that embarrasses or upsets sb
to take it for granted that	to believe or assume that sth is a fact without thinking about it
to take it in turns to do sth/to take turns doing sth	if two people.., one of them does it first, then the other and so on
sth take(s) it out of you	sth makes you very tired