knee-deep in深陷其中

一句話把對方的兩難擺上桌：你幫我也好，整我也罷，別裝糊塗。

Are you interested in A or in B?

當面質問對方真實動機時用；對上級或不熟的人這麼說會很衝。

Are you trying to help me or to show me up? ／ Do you want the truth or just a laugh?

口語

interested in 連讀，or in 前停半拍，尾音上揚。

Are you interested in fixing this or in making me look bad? 你是想解決問題，還是想讓我難堪？

拿舊日同袍情分反將一軍，罵人不帶髒字，最見老友間的默契。

How did we ever ...?

熟人互損、回憶舊事來吐槽對方時用；正式場合不能這麼開口。

How did we ever put up with each other? ／ How did we survive three years together?

口語

ever 重讀，that plane 連讀，句末降調收得乾脆。

How did we ever share a room for a whole year? 咱倆當年是怎麼同住一間屋整年的？

先退半步再補一刀，把整場麻煩輕輕推回對方身上。

I hate to ..., but ...

要說不討喜的實話又想顯得客氣時用；對很敏感的人要慎用。

I hate to say it, but you started this. ／ I don't like to bring it up, but it was your idea.

中性

hate to 輕讀，but 後稍停，started because 連讀。

I hate to remind you, but you promised to call. 我不想提，可你答應過要打電話的。

輕描淡寫一句話，把整場報案的不滿全扔回給老朋友。

You might + 動詞原形

用委婉語氣提要求或表達不滿時用；帶刺的客氣，正式場合不要含沙射影。

You could send someone competent. ／ Maybe send me a real detective next time.

中性

You might 連讀，good detective 重讀 good，句尾輕輕降調。

You might send me someone who can actually fix this. 你不妨派個真能修好的人過來。