what went down出了什麼事

用反問替自己開脫：不是我逼他，是他沒得選，聽著有理卻掩蓋權力差。

What choice did he have?

為看似兩難、實則強勢的決定找說法時用，也可用來質疑；正式場合別用。

He didn't really have a choice. ／ What else could he do?

口語

What choice 重讀，did he have 放輕收尾。

What choice did she have? The deadline was yesterday. 她還能有什麼選擇？截止時間就是昨天。

What choice did he have? She lied to him. 他還能怎麼選？她騙了他。

用排位定義關係：不是朋友，是第一名，親近裡帶著座次感。

You're my number one man.

強調某人在自己心裡的分量時用，也可帶點功利味；對普通同事別用。

You're my top guy. ／ You come first with me.

口語

number one 重讀，man 收尾乾脆。

You're my number one pick for this project. 這個專案你是我第一順位。

You're my number one fan, always. 你永遠是我頭號支持者。

用 what went down 含糊道歉：認了有事，卻不肯點名。

I'm real sorry about what went down.

為雙方心知肚明、卻不願細說的事道歉時用；正式致歉信裡別用。

I'm sorry about what happened. ／ I regret how that went.

口語

real sorry 重讀，what went down 放輕帶過。

I'm real sorry about what went down at the meeting. 會上發生的事，我真的很抱歉。

I'm real sorry about what went down at dinner. 晚飯時鬧成那樣，我真的很抱歉。

用最家常的物件點破對方的想當然：有些問題不是湊合能解決的。

You can't fix it with Scotch tape.

指出對方想用臨時辦法應付根本問題時用；正式報告裡別用。

Duct tape won't solve this. ／ You can't patch this over.

口語

Scotch tape 重讀，you know 輕收。

You can't fix a broken team with Scotch tape. 一個散掉的團隊不是貼塊膠帶就能修好的。

You can't fix debt with Scotch tape, you know. 債務這東西，不是貼塊膠帶就能糊過去的。

一句笨拙又真誠的道謝：嘴上謝人，其實是在給僵掉的關係找臺階。

I really appreciate your coming over like this.

朋友幫了忙、想緩和氣氛時用，語氣要真誠；客套敷衍場合別用。

I really appreciate you making the trip. ／ Thanks for coming all this way.

口語

really appreciate 重讀，like this 放輕收尾。

I really appreciate your coming over to help like this. 真謝謝你特地過來幫忙。

I really appreciate your visiting me like this. 真謝謝你這樣來看我。