call it off取消

把貧窮說得毫無自憐，一句 nothing else 反而顯出全部的坦誠。

I did it because I have nothing else to ...

坦白自己別無選擇、家底很薄時用；對陌生人說會顯得過重。

I said it because I had nothing else to say. ／ I gave it to you because I have nothing better.

literary

nothing else 連讀，show 收得輕。

I told the truth because I had nothing else to offer. 我說了實話，因為我沒有別的可給。

用 wouldn't 把被拒說得乾脆，that's the main point 一句收住，不訴苦。

That's the main point.

把話拉回重點、不想多解釋時用；語氣直，別在安慰人時用。

That is the key thing. ／ That is the heart of the matter.

中性

wouldn't 重讀，main point 連讀。

We ran out of money; that's the main point. 我們沒錢了，這才是關鍵。

阿齊茲反用殖民者口中的舊詞，把偏見原樣擲回，鋒利又冷靜。

This is what (a group) will never understand.

指出某群體難以理解某事時用；涉及族群標籤要非常謹慎。

This is what outsiders never understand. ／ That is what they will never grasp.

正式

never understand 重讀，Oriental 四音節放穩。

This is what outsiders will never understand about us. 這是外人永遠無法理解我們的地方。

even if 把假設先堵死，再補一句事實，拒絕得乾淨利落。

I can't do it even if I wanted to.

強調某事根本沒可能時用；語氣偏無奈，別用來推卸責任。

I couldn't help even if I tried. ／ She can't come even if she wanted to.

中性

even if 重讀，engaged to 連讀。

I can't join you even if I wanted to. 就算我想也去不了。

主動提出幫忙，call it off 說得輕，既體貼又不越界。

Would you like me to help you do something?

主動提出幫忙、又不想強加時用；對上級也適用。

Shall I help you cancel it? ／ Would you like me to sort it out?

正式

Would you like me 連讀，call it off 連讀。

Would you like me to help you move it? 要不要我幫你搬？