close, but no cigar就差那麼一點

把一整代無業青年的氣質寫進一句，灑脫裡帶著心酸。

a bunch of kids who didn't give a hoot

回憶或形容一群不在乎得失的年輕人時用；正式場合這個片語太隨意。

A crowd that couldn't care less. ／ Kids with nothing but time and jokes.

口語

didn't give a hoot 連讀，yuk to share 輕輕收尾。

We were a bunch of kids who didn't give a hoot about money. 我們當年是一群對錢滿不在乎的年輕人。

把收留朋友說得像釋出房源，一本正經反而暖。

It just so happens (that) we have ...

順手幫忙、順便提供東西時用；莊重場合用它顯得輕佻。

As it happens, the couch is free. ／ You're in luck; we have room.

口語

just so happens 連讀，vacancy on the couch 放慢。

It just so happens we have a spare room this week. 正好，這週我們有間空房。

用「碰巧」說「特意等」，含蓄地把心意說出口。

I've been hoping to run into you.

想見某人又不想顯得刻意時用；對剛吵過架的人說會顯得心虛。

I was hoping I'd see you here. ／ I've been meaning to find you.

中性

hoping to 連讀，run into you 一氣流過。

I've been hoping to run into you and ask a favor. 我一直盼著碰上你，好請你幫個忙。

把片名《滿壘》諧音成「誰喝多了」，一句玩笑抖出滿場機靈。

What's going on? Who was ...?

起鬨、抓包半開玩笑時用；認真質問時用它會被當成不正經。

Hold on, what's happening here? ／ Wait, who started this?

口語

Wait a minute 連讀，Who was loaded 重音落 loaded。

Wait a minute, who was in charge of the music? 等等，剛才是誰在管音樂？

兩個反問把編劇的世故說盡，冷得漂亮。

Who wants + 形容詞？

自嘲或諷刺行業只圖熱鬧時用；對認真創作的人說很傷人。

Nobody pays for true. ／ Feelings don't sell tickets.

口語

Who wants 快速重複，重音落 true 和 moving。

Who wants subtle? They want explosions. 誰要含蓄？他們要的是爆炸場面。

借戲中戲說真心話，浪漫得剛好，也清醒得剛好。

I find myself afraid of ...

半開玩笑地表白時用；對不熟的人說會顯得用力過猛。

I'm scared of losing you. ／ It hits me how much I'd miss you.

literary

Suddenly 重讀，afraid of losing you 放慢收尾。

I find myself afraid of losing touch with you. 我發現我特別害怕跟你失去聯絡。