red tape繁文縟節

把繞過流程、直取核心說得乾脆，鋪墊一句就一擊即中。

it's necessary to ... and ...

向人解釋為何跳過流程、直接找關鍵人時用；對上級別用，容易被聽成越權。

Sometimes you have to cut through the red tape. ／ Sometimes the only way is to go straight to the top.

中性

necessary 重讀，cut through 連讀。

Sometimes it's necessary to call the manager and ask for a decision. 有時候就得直接找經理拍板。

同一個詞來回扣，把荒唐的抱怨說成了公理。

You can't have A without B

反駁只要結果不要配套時用，對同事都行；正式報告少用這俏皮句式。

You can't run a modern office without modern tools. ／ No new kitchen comes without new pans.

中性

兩處 contemporary 都要重讀，語氣像在擺道理。

You can't have a modern lab without modern equipment. 現代的實驗室，不能沒有現代的儀器。

先交代習慣，再補一句誰都認的理由，謹慎感立刻立住。

I always ... because ...

解釋自己為什麼反覆檢查、處處上鎖時用；對朋友說太正經會顯得囉嗦。

I keep the originals locked away; you can never be too careful. ／ Better safe than sorry, so everything stays locked.

中性

lock and key 連讀，too sure 稍停。

I always back up my files because one can never be too sure. 我總是備份檔案，因為小心些總沒錯。

為了一件傢俱小題大做，用兩句斬釘截鐵的否定把對方架到文明的對立面。荒誕的較真配上嚴肅的措辭，正是克魯索式的喜劇節奏；兩個否定並列也很好模仿。

We are not ...! This is not ...!

為一件小事堅持原則、拒絕被敷衍時用，帶誇張的正式感；嚴肅維權場合可以借用，但要收著點。

We are not animals, and this is not the dark ages. ／ This is not some primitive place, and we are not brutes.

中性

are not 重讀，savages 與 Middle Ages 都降調收尾。

We are not beginners! This is not our first launch. 我們不是新手！這又不是我們第一次上線。