cause a stink鬧得滿城風雨

用一句反問把瘋子邏輯擺成常識，越平靜越讓人發冷。

We don't want to ..., unless we have to, do we?

用反問問對方認同、同時給自己留臺階時用；正式談判也常見。

We don't want trouble unless there's no choice, right? ／ Nobody wants this unless we must, do they?

正式

We don't want to 平推，unless we have to 放緩，do we 尾音上揚。

We don't want to escalate unless we have to, do we? 不到萬不得已，我們不想把事鬧大，對吧？

六個詞，不加任何理由，拒絕全部意思都在裡面。

X is not going to be recalled.

回絕帶明確物件的要求時用；語氣冷靜、不留商量餘地。

The decision is not going to be reversed. ／ The order is not going to change.

正式

not going to 連讀，recalled 重讀，整句語調放平收尾。

The decision is not going to be reversed tonight. 這個決定今晚不會更改。

先說做了什麼，再宣佈它照樣成立，一句頂回所有請求。

My ... have been issued, and the ... stand.

宣佈已經做出的決定仍然有效時用；公文和正式表態適用。

The orders have gone out and they stand. ／ It is done, and it stays done.

正式

have been issued 連讀緊湊，orders stand 兩詞都重讀。

The instructions have been issued, and they stand. 指令已經下達，照舊有效。

把軍規當武器使，一句話劃出誰說了算。

That does not give you any ... to ...

強調對方沒有資格插手時用；對平級也顯得強硬。

That gives you no right to question me. ／ You have no standing to overrule this.

正式

Does not 連讀，prerogatives 重音在第二音節，orders 收得乾脆。

That gives you no right to question this decision. 你沒有資格質疑這個決定。

先擺出客氣的架子，再把最重的話輕輕放下。

I would say that there was something wrong somewhere.

要對上司或長輩說出難聽判斷時用；先加緩衝再下結論。

I'd say something went badly wrong here. ／ I'm afraid there is a serious mistake.

正式

I would say 放緩，dreadfully wrong 兩個詞加重，句尾下壓。

I would say there was something wrong with the plan. 我得說這個方案有問題。

一句口語把醜聞的後果說成味道，形象又省字。

It'll cause a stink.

警告某件事會鬧出大風波時用；熟人之間比正式警告更生動。

It'll make a scene. ／ It will stir up a real fuss.

口語

It'll 縮讀成 itl，cause a stink 三詞連讀，stink 重讀。

If we push this through, it'll cause a stink. 要是硬推這件事，會鬧出大亂子。