You can say the wrong thing, and next thing you know ...

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The lemon square turns into acceptance of a dinner invitation and next thing you know, your business relationship is compromised by your personal relationship.

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We had an energy situation where suddenly oil producers or speculators want to constrict supply, and next thing you know you're paying four bucks at the pump.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Announces $4 Billion Investment in Education | The White House

Blakey's pianist was elsewhere, so Brackeen slid onto the bench and started to play, and the next thing you know, Blakey hired her and took her to Japan.

NPR: Joanne Brackeen: A Maelstrom On The Keys

You create one version of the software and the next thing you know, it's pirated all over the place.

NPR: U.S. Attache: Piracy in China Hurts Growth

"We didn't hit that many bad shots starting out the day and the next thing you know we are quite a few over par, " he said.

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If something needs to be done, it often needs to be done immediately, so your motivated employees will jump in to fill the breach and the next thing you know they are managing a small team or project.

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Next thing you know we had a deal, and here you have Manology.

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But then the next thing you know, he's gone out and opened new lines of credit at a half a dozen stores where he's bought matching boots and earmuffs.

NPR: Identification Theft: The Growing Scam Industry

Thanks to Maria Klawe, about whom we wrote here, next thing you know, 20% will be 40% and maybe even more.

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