start at the bottom從最底層做起

一句話把行業的門檻說透，沒有經驗，再好的熱情也上不了臺。

You don't just walk on to ... without ...

要說明某行有硬門檻時用，對新人說很管用，別拿來堵人熱情。

You can't just walk into that job without experience. ／ Nobody gets on a network show by showing up.

中性

don't just 連讀，walk on to 輕輕帶過，without 重讀。

You don't just walk on to a hospital floor without training. 沒受過訓練，你不可能就這麼上醫院病房幹活。

先承認這是陳詞濫調，再把它當真理壓下來，老話反而更有分量。

It's an old ... expression, but it's the truth: ...

要鄭重講一句老道理時用，適合對晚輩，正式場合慎用口語縮寫。

It's a tired saying, but it's true. ／ The old line is still the honest one.

正式

old 和 hackneyed 之間停半拍，the truth 後停頓再往下。

It's an old expression, but it's the truth: you learn by doing. 這是句老話，但卻是實話：本事是幹出來的。

把窘迫和誠意一起擺上桌，窮也要請客，讀來又好笑又心酸。

I'm short on cash, but if you don't mind ...

手頭緊又想表示心意時用，對熟人坦白可以，對客戶別這麼講。

I'm a little short this month, but I'd still love to treat you. ／ Money is tight, so maybe just coffee.

口語

short on cash 連讀，don't mind 輕讀，just appetizers 逐個點清。

I'm short on cash, but if you don't mind noodles, dinner is on me. 我手頭有點緊，你要是不介意吃麵，這頓我請。

先禮後兵地插一句年齡，追夢人的時間焦慮一下壓過客套，真實得讓人心軟。

There's only one problem. ... I'm ... years old.

想強調自己等不起時用，適合私下談機會，別在面試裡拿來當藉口，容易顯得推責。

One thing though, I'm not getting any younger. ／ The trouble is, I'm already 34.

口語

only one problem 稍停，34 years old 一字一頓。

There's one problem. I don't mean to complain, but I'm 40 already. 有個問題。不是抱怨，可我已經四十了。