fair game活該被盯上

兩句話劃清新聞的立場：不製造醜聞，但既然發生了就有權追。

We didn't make them do X. Once they did, they're fair game.

為自己的報道或追責辯護時說，對同行和公眾都適用；帶立場，正式聽證也可用。

We didn't cause it, but we can report it. ／ It wasn't our doing, and it is still fair to pursue.

中性

didn't make 連讀，fair game 重讀收尾。

We didn't cause the leak. Once it happened, they're fair game. 洩密不是我們造成的，可既然發生了，就該查。

用虛擬句把巨大風險說得很輕：這一步走錯，全盤皆輸。

It would be nice if ...

面對沒把握的大事時自嘲式感嘆，對同事說自然；正式場合顯得不專業。

Let's hope we got this right. ／ It would be great if this turns out true.

中性

would be 連讀，重音落在 right 上。

It would be nice if our forecast were right. 要是我們的預測沒搞錯就好了。

把死守口風的姿態說絕，一句就立住了線人的邊界。

You get nothing about X out of me.

被人追問不願說的內情時用，態度強硬，對朋友說都顯重，正式場合更少。

You won't get a word about X from me. ／ I'm saying nothing on X.

口語

get nothing 連讀，重音在 Haldeman 和 me。

You get nothing about the merger out of me. 併購的事你從我嘴裡問不出一個字。

不確認也不否認，用一句假設把訊息默許出去，滴水不漏。

I would have no problems if you ...

不便明說又想讓對方放心的場合用，對合作方、下屬都行，正式溝通也常見。

I wouldn't object if you did. ／ That story wouldn't bother me.

中性

would have 連讀，problems 重讀，if 輕帶。

I would have no problems if you filed it this week. 你這週提交，我沒意見。