run him out of the business把他擠出這一行

把面子說成職位帶來的硬性要求：不是想要體面，而是承受不起丟臉，解釋了權力為何常脆弱。

A man in my position can't afford to ...

解釋自己為何絕不能在某件事上吃虧時用，語氣強硬；對普通朋友說會顯得架子很大。

Someone in my role cannot afford that kind of embarrassment. ／ At my level, losing face is not an option.

正式

in my position 放慢，can't afford 重讀，句尾上揚收力。

A woman in my position can't afford to ignore that kind of rumor. 我這種位置上的人，經不起無視那種傳言。

A manager in my position can't afford to play favorites. 我這個位置的管理者，可不能偏心。

先宣佈懲罰，再補理由，語氣平靜卻不容置疑，寫出有權者報復時那種公事公辦的從容。

I'm going to ..., and let me tell you why.

先下結論再解釋原因時用，語氣強勢；平級之間這樣開頭容易顯得專斷。

Here is what I am going to do, and here is why. ／ I will explain it once: this is the reason.

口語

going to 連讀，let me tell you why 放慢加重。

I'm going to close this account, and let me tell you why. 我打算把這個賬戶關掉，原因我告訴你。

I'm going to turn down the offer, and let me tell you why. 我打算拒絕這個提議，原因我告訴你。

把一條規矩說得像制度：壞訊息不許壓著，體現統御者的資訊紀律，也解釋了沒人敢瞞事。

He insists on hearing bad news immediately.

說明某人要求壞訊息第一時間上報時用，語氣正式；輕鬆場合說會顯得嚴肅過頭。

He wants bad news right away. ／ Do not sit on bad news; tell him at once.

正式

insists on 連讀，bad news 重讀，immediately 一字一頓收尾。

My editor insists on hearing problems the moment they appear. 我的主編堅持問題一冒頭就要立刻知道。

She insists on hearing the worst before anyone else. 她堅持要比任何人都先聽到最壞的訊息。

把自尊寫成一條規矩：被拒一次就夠了。不求二次，讓人既敬且怕，因為不再給第二次機會。

He never asks a second favor when he's been refused the first.

形容一個人被拒後絕不糾纏、極有分寸時用，語氣敬重；用來誇自己會顯得自誇。

He takes no for an answer the first time. ／ Once refused, he never asks again.

正式

never asks 重讀，been refused the first 放慢收尾。

Once they turn me down, I never push for a second interview. 他們一旦拒絕我，我絕不會再爭取第二次面試。

She never asks twice once a client says no. 客戶一旦說不，她絕不再開口問第二次。