cut corners省成本

把裁員說成節省成本，一句公司腔，刀藏在體諒的語氣裡。

I'm sure you can understand our need to ...

對下屬或合作方宣佈壞訊息、還想讓對方點頭時用，朋友之間別這麼繞。

I'm sure you understand why we have to tighten things up ／ you can appreciate our need to trim costs

正式

重音落在 need 和 cut corners，understand 一帶而過。

I'm sure you can understand our need to cut the travel budget this quarter. 我相信你能理解，這季度我們得砍掉差旅預算。

同一句話既是提醒也是威脅，機會和失業只隔一個逗號。

This is your one chance to ...

上級或談判對手下最後通牒時用，真朋友之間別用這種施壓句。

This is your only shot to keep the job ／ You get one chance to fix this

中性

重讀 one 和 save，前後各停半拍。

This is your one chance to retake the exam, so study tonight. 這是你補考的唯一機會，今晚就好好複習。

用最誇張的宗教比喻反諷寫崗位說明保飯碗，酸得非常地道。

sell one's soul for convenience

諷刺自己或同事為省事放棄原則時用，正式會議別這麼說。

sell your soul for an easy fix ／ give up your principles because it is easier

口語

Satan 咬重，more convenient 輕收，諷刺語氣上揚。

We sold our souls and faked the numbers because it was convenient. 我們圖省事，把資料做了手腳，等於賣了靈魂。

表面在講砍樹，其實是把產權才決定感情說得又冷又繞。

wouldn't have the heart to do something

說自己不忍心做某事、又想補個條件時用，正式場合顯得矯情。

I couldn't bring myself to cut it down ／ it would break my heart to do that

中性

wouldn't have the heart 連讀輕快，if 前停一下。

I wouldn't have the heart to give the dog away after ten years. 養了十年，我真不忍心把狗送走。