a cock-and-bull story一套鬼話

用 dancing with 把與危險人物周旋說成共舞，畫面輕鬆，含義卻冷。

That's the [person] you're dancing with.

提醒別人他合作的對手很危險時用；私下提醒合適，公開場合說會得罪人。

That's the partner you've chosen. ／ Remember who you're tangling with.

口語

talked him down 連讀，dancing with 放慢加重收。

He seems friendly, but that's the investor you're dancing with. 他看起來挺友好，可那就是你在打交道的投資人。

用 might not hurt 提出看似無害的建議，其實是在推動對方去查。

It might not hurt to [do X].

想推動別人注意或行動、又不便明說時用；對同事或朋友都行，正式指令場合別說，太含糊。

No harm in keeping an eye out. ／ It wouldn't hurt to watch for it.

口語

might not hurt 連讀，on the lookout for it 放慢收。

It might not hurt to double-check the invoice. 把發票再核對一遍，大概沒壞處。

用 a can of worms 把牽一髮而動全身的風險說成一個具體的罐子，誠實又算計。

I was attempting to [do X] without opening a can of worms.

形容一件事一旦追究就會牽出更多麻煩時用；解釋自己的權衡合適，正式報告裡少用習語。

without dragging everyone into it. ／ and keep the whole tangle shut.

口語

give them Eltenton 連讀，without opening a can of worms 放慢收。

I was trying to fix the error without opening a can of worms. 我當時想修好這個錯誤，又不想捅開一個馬蜂窩。

用 cock-and-bull story 給自己的說辭定性，等於主動認下編造。

I told them a cock-and-bull story.

承認自己編了一套說辭時用；自嘲或認錯場合合適，商務郵件裡別用，太隨意。

I fed them a made-up tale. ／ It was a story and I knew it.

口語

told them a 連讀，cock-and-bull 放慢加重收。

I told my boss a cock-and-bull story about the delay. 我編了一套鬼話跟老闆解釋延誤。

一句簡單判斷點破動機，把忠誠與原則歸到一個詞上，直白得讓人難以反駁。

You're trying to protect [someone].

直接點出對方行為背後的動機時用；對熟人點破合適，正式審問裡說會顯得冒犯。

Your loyalty is doing the talking. ／ You're shielding someone, aren't you?

正式

trying to protect 連讀，your friend 放慢收。

You're trying to protect your brother, not the rules. 你想保護的是你哥哥，不是規矩。