frighten the horses惹出大驚小怪

把一場技術革命說成零星幾個詞，再加一句別驚著馬，典型的英式輕描淡寫，越是不當回事，越顯出舊世界的遲鈍與從容。

It's just a couple of words here or there, nothing to frighten the horses.

用輕描淡寫的口氣淡化大變化時用，英式、帶幽默。

Just a few words, hardly worth the fuss. ／ Nothing here that would upset the neighbours.

中性

Couple of words 輕帶，here or there 停頓，nothing to frighten the horses 放慢收。

A few changes here or there. Nothing to upset the regulars. 不過零零星星幾處改動。還不至於讓老主顧們不高興。

用一句不合規範的雙重否定，把一個我行我素的女星立住了，正是這個語法錯誤讓臺詞有了脾氣和口音，比任何形容詞都傳神。

I don't do nothing unless I feel like it.

刻畫任性、只憑喜好行事的人時用，口語、帶口音。

I only do what I please, and that's that. ／ If I'm not in the mood, it doesn't happen.

口語

I don't do nothing 重音落在 nothing，unless I feel like it 輕快收。

I don't do extra shifts unless I feel like it. 我不樂意的事，額外的班我一概不加。

一句反問，把對方剛說出口的漂亮話拆穿，such a thing as 讓問題停在概念層面，追問的不是某個例子，而是這整類說法是否存在。

Is there such a thing as X?

質疑某個流行說法是否成立時用，簡短、帶鋒芒。

Does good publicity even exist? ／ Is that even a real category?

正式

Is there such 連讀，a thing as 輕帶，good publicity 放慢上揚收。

Is there such a thing as honest advertising? 還有所謂誠實廣告這種東西嗎？

用 not even sure 層層降級，把電影表演從藝術貶成一件可疑的手藝，謙遜裡帶著行家的挑剔，一句話劃出舞臺與銀幕的界線。

I'm not even sure it's proper X.

半開玩笑地貶低某事物的正當性時用。

I'm not convinced you can even call it acting. ／ Whether this counts as art is anyone's guess.

中性

In fact 輕起，I'm not even sure 放慢，proper acting 加重收。

Honestly, I'm not even sure it's proper singing. 說實話，我都不確定這算不算正經唱歌。