industry standard行業標準

把一條搭訕規矩講得像經濟學，used to 和 now 一對比就顯出荒謬。

I used to ..., but now it's like ...

拿過去和現在對比來吐槽變化時用；正式寫作裡少用 it's like 這種口頭插入。

I used to do that, but now everyone does it. ／ People used to wait, but now nobody bothers.

口語

used to 輕讀，but now it's like 一路加速帶過。

I used to sell these fast, but now it's like nobody buys them. 以前這貨我賣得飛快，可現在好像沒人買了。

用 scare off 把「猴急」講成驚走獵物的動作，畫面感和幽默都在。

If you ..., you might scare off ...

提醒別人別太急切時用；scare off 也能說客戶、機會被嚇跑。

Call too soon and you might scare her away. ／ You could spook a girl who was actually keen.

口語

too soon 連讀，scare off a 三個詞黏在一起。

Push too hard and you might scare off the client. 逼得太緊，你可能會把客戶嚇跑。

把「麻煩會找上門」說成 trouble finds you，一句就把兩個城市的安全感說清了。

... finds you

比較環境差異、解釋為什麼有人總提心吊膽時用；說麻煩、機會都行。

Back home, trouble always comes to you. ／ In a big city the danger seeks you out.

中性

good neighborhood 連讀，trouble finds you 句尾下沉收住。

In a small town opportunity still finds you. 在小鎮上，機會照樣會找上門。

把戀愛裡的小心機總結成一條幹脆的規則，像行家給出的口訣。

X is enough not to look ...

討論約會節奏、給朋友出主意時能用；對剛認識的人上來就講這套會顯得算計，別用。

Two days is enough so you don't look desperate. ／ Waiting two days keeps you from seeming eager.

口語

Two's enough 連讀，not to look 連讀，anxious 咬實。

A day is enough not to look too eager. 隔一天就夠了，不會顯得太心急。