word gets around訊息會傳開

把私生活和事業說成兩股要撞上的力。措辭越正式，警告越重：你可以不改，但代價會來。

There could be a serious conflict between ... and ...

正式指出某人的兩種選擇將互相沖突時用。

These two things can't coexist forever. ／ Something here has to give.

正式

serious conflict 重讀，lifestyle 與 career 對比放慢。

There could be a serious conflict between your hobby and your job. 你的愛好和工作之間可能會有嚴重衝突。

There could be a conflict between what you want and what they need. 你想要的跟他們需要的之間可能會有衝突。

把兩件要命的事並排說：先是別人厭惡，接著是流言擴散。提醒人名聲不是私事。

It turns people off, and word gets around.

警告某種行為會同時傷及觀感和名聲時用。

People judge, and then they talk. ／ This will cost you goodwill and privacy.

口語

turns people off 重讀，word gets around 連讀，believe me 收尾。

It rubs people the wrong way, and word gets around. 這會讓人反感，訊息也會傳開。

It puts people off, and news travels fast. 這會讓人反感，而且訊息傳得飛快。

用最標準的自我定位替自己辯護，越說得像口號，越讓人懷疑。反諷全靠前後文。

I'm a family man, a one-woman man. Always have been.

在被質疑時強調自己顧家、專一時用，也可帶諷刺意味引用。

I've always been the loyal type. ／ That's not who I am.

口語

family man 與 one-woman man 平行重讀，Always have been 放輕。

I'm a team player, a company man. Always have been. 我是團隊型的人，忠於公司。我一直都是。

I'm a simple man, an honest man. Always have been. 我是個簡單的人，一個誠實的人。我一直都是。

用 may be ... but 的結構承認缺點、守住底線：慾望可以有，判斷力不能丟。自嘲又清醒。

I may be ..., but I'm not stupid.

承認自己某方面的缺點、同時否認會因此犯蠢時用。

I have my weaknesses, but I'm not a fool. ／ Wanting it doesn't make me blind.

口語

may be 輕讀，not stupid 重讀收尾。

I may be lazy, but I'm not stupid. 我可能有點懶，但我又不傻。

I may be broke, but I'm not desperate. 我可能沒錢，但我還沒到走投無路。