more than you can shake a stick at多得數不清

一個土味習語把暴發戶扎堆的畫面說得又誇張又好笑。

more ... than you can shake a stick at

誇張地說某樣東西多得數不清時用；寫正式報告別用這種鄉下說法。

There are more cafes here than you can shake a stick at. ／ The town has more churches than you can shake a stick at.

口語

more 重讀，than you can 連讀，shake a stick at 一氣呵成。

There are more food stalls than you can shake a stick at. 這兒的小吃攤多得數都數不過來。

鄭重其事地誇一個部位，越一本正經越顯出老色鬼的滑稽。

If there's one thing I admire, it's ...

半開玩笑地強調自己偏愛某樣東西時用；正經表白裡這樣說會顯得輕浮。

If there's one thing I love, it's a quiet morning. ／ If there's one thing I trust, it's good coffee.

中性

If there's 連讀，one thing 重讀，it's a 輕輕帶過。

If there's one thing I admire, it's a well-made loaf. 要說我欣賞什麼，那就是烤得好的麵包。

把 up the wrong tree 換成 wrong fish，一個字就把拒絕說得又冷又俏。

bark up the wrong tree / fish

對方找錯人、盯錯目標時用；對上級或客戶這樣說會顯得冒犯。

You're barking up the wrong tree. ／ You've got the wrong person.

口語

barking up 連讀，wrong 重讀，fish 收得乾脆利落。

For refunds you're barking up the wrong tree; try the front desk. 要退款你找錯人了，去前臺問問吧。

輕飄飄報出荒誕數字，富豪人設一句立住。

I've been married ... times.

朋友間自嘲情史時能用；對剛認識的人別當真炫耀。

I've been through this a few too many times. ／ Marriage and I are old acquaintances.

口語

seven or eight 一帶而過，times 收得漫不經心。

I've changed jobs six or seven times. 我換過六七份工作。

拿樂器搭訕還端著認真勁，越正經越滑稽。

Do you use a ..., or do you just ...?

對不熟的人搭話時能學幽默；職場上別學這種打探。

Do you play it with a pick, or just your fingers? ／ Is it bowed or plucked?

正式

Fascinating 拖出嘲諷味，or 處小停，pluck it 輕挑收。

Do you string it by hand, or do you just buy it? 你是自己穿弦，還是直接買現成的？