file a motion提交動議

把一件爭議事件定義為「非做不可」，是編輯定調時最有分量的一句。它不靠情緒，只陳述判斷，適合任何要說服別人重視某件事的場合。

This strikes me as an essential story to ...

在會議上為一個被低估的選題定調時用，語氣沉穩。

To me, this is a story we simply have to tell. ／ I see this as essential to our readers.

正式

This strikes me 輕帶，essential story 放慢，local paper 收尾。

This strikes me as an essential story for our readers. 在我看來，這對我們的讀者來說是必須做的報道。

This strikes me as essential work for this team. 在我看來，這對這個團隊是必不可少的工作。

先承認自己不瞭解當地規矩，再亮出別處行得通的辦法。既不逞強，也不迴避，是把外部經驗帶進新環境時很得體的說法。

I don't know what ... are here, but where I'm from we would ...

初到新環境、拿原先的做法作參考時用，坦率而有主張。

I'm not sure how it works here, but back home we would go to court. ／ I don't know the local rules, but there is a way.

正式

I don't know 輕快，in Florida 稍重，go to court 放慢收尾。

I don't know how things work here, but where I'm from we would just ask. 我不清楚這裡怎麼運作，但在我們那兒會直接開口問。

I don't know the rules here, but back home we would file a complaint. 我不知道這裡的規矩，但在老家我們會直接投訴。

把大目標拆成眼前非做不可的一步，是推動事情落地的說法。at the very least 既守住底線，又不把話說滿，談判和協作裡都很好用。

At the very least, we have to ...

先定下不可退讓的最低要求時用，語氣務實。

At a minimum, we need to read them. ／ The least we can do is go through the files.

中性

At the very least 放慢，have to 輕帶，go through 連讀。

At the very least, we have to review the numbers. 最起碼，我們得把數字過一遍。

I think at the very least, we need to read the contract. 我想最起碼，我們得把合同讀一遍。

用最粗的說法講“上頭知道後會炸鍋”，畫面感極強，是英語裡典型的誇張俚語，一句話就讓人記住。

I think ___ is gonna shit a brick.

私下聊某人聽到壞訊息會暴怒時用，語氣粗俗；正式場合或對長輩、客戶別用。

I think Gilman's gonna blow a fuse. ／ I think Gilman's gonna hit the roof.

口語

I think 輕帶，Gilman's 連讀，shit a brick 三詞重讀、節奏乾脆。

I think the boss is gonna blow a fuse when he hears this. 我覺得老闆聽到這事會氣炸。

When your mom finds out, she's gonna hit the roof. 你媽發現的時候，會氣得跳腳。