make an example out of殺雞儆猴

把個人的倒霉放進制度的邏輯裡：不是因為你最壞，而是因為你最合適被示眾。一句安慰，也是一句殘酷的現實。

They had to make an example out of ...

解釋某人為何被重罰時用，帶幾分體諒。

They needed a warning for everyone else. ／ You were the lesson, not the crime.

中性

had to 弱讀，make an example out of you 放慢。

Don't take it personally; they had to make an example out of someone. 別往心裡去，他們總得拿個人殺雞儆猴。

They had to make an example out of him for the whole team. 為了整個團隊，他們只能拿他開刀。

把被告席變成技術答辯：我不是唯一的錯，你們也漏得厲害。軟中帶刺，全場只有他敢這麼說話。

I believe I've pointed out some pretty gaping holes in ...

用對方的漏洞回應指責時用，冷靜但強硬。

Your system has serious holes too. ／ I found the gaps you missed.

中性

I believe 輕讀，gaping holes 重讀。

I believe I've pointed out some pretty gaping holes in your design. 我想我指出了你們設計裡幾處挺大的漏洞。

I believe I've pointed out some pretty gaping holes in our process. 我想我指出了我們流程裡幾處挺大的漏洞。

聽證會上把「處分」翻轉成「嘉獎」的請求，禮貌到極點，也傲慢到極點。一句話寫盡他的性格。

As for any charges stemming from ..., I believe I deserve some recognition from ...

半開玩笑地要求認可時用，語氣要穩。

I think I've earned some credit here. ／ This deserves a thank-you, not a hearing.

正式

As for 停頓，deserve some recognition 逐詞加重。

As for any problems stemming from the delay, I believe I deserve some credit for fixing them. 至於因延期引發的問題，我覺得修好它們該算我一份功勞。

As for any doubts stemming from my results, I believe I deserve some credit for the method. 至於因結果引起的質疑，我覺得這個方法該給我記一功。

把冒犯推給聽眾「沒有幽默感」，是最常見的甩鍋句式。這句壞得真實，幾乎人人都聽過或說過。

But I was kidding ... Doesn't anybody have a sense of humor?

有人把冒犯當玩笑、還怪你太認真時，常出現這句。

It was just a joke. Lighten up. ／ Can't anyone take a joke?

口語

for God's sakes 連讀，sense of humor 重讀收尾。

But it was only a joke. Doesn't anybody have a sense of humor? 可那只是個玩笑。難道就沒人有幽默感嗎？

I was just teasing. Can't anyone take a joke? 我只是逗著玩。難道誰都不能開個玩笑嗎？