stick the knife in落井下石

用兩個都留餘地的說法給一樣食物定了性：不討厭，可也沒到喜歡。它把那種客氣又疏遠的真實態度說得滴水不漏，套在任何想婉拒又不想得罪人的場合都合適。

I don't dislike it, but I'm never sure about it.

對某樣東西沒好感又不想直說時用，語氣保留；私下聊吃食、電影都行。

I don't hate it, but I wouldn't choose it. ／ It's fine, though I'm not convinced.

口語

don't dislike 連讀，never sure 稍慢，sure 落重音。

I don't dislike the sauce, but I'm never sure about the texture. 我不討厭這個醬，但一直拿不準它的口感。

先宣告自己不會捅刀子，下一句立刻補上「頂多用刀撓撓你」，把善意和毒舌一次說完。這種先立牌坊再拆臺的節奏，是英式鬥嘴最地道的寫法。

I would never stick the knife in.

向朋友表白自己不會背後使壞時用，語氣認真裡帶玩笑；正式場合別這麼說。

I'd never stab you in the back. ／ I wouldn't do the dirty on you.

口語

never 重讀，stick the knife in 連成一串，knife 落重音。

Relax, I would never stick the knife in behind your back. 放心，我絕不會在背後捅你刀子。

把生死大事說得像在選餐廳，語氣平得反常，笑點全在這份不近人情的從容裡。它把「隨你便」推到了荒誕的盡頭，適合用來調侃任何把選擇說得太輕的場合。

If they did X or Y, they would both suit me fine.

半開玩笑地表示怎麼都行、無所謂時用；對剛經歷喪事的人絕對不要這麼說。

Either way works for me. ／ Honestly, both options suit me fine.

口語

buried 與 cremated 並列重讀，suit me fine 放慢收尾。

If we take the train or drive, either would suit me fine. 坐火車還是開車，我都沒意見。

先給足對方面子，再坦白真正的想法，轉折裡全是疲憊和實在。它把「玩夠了想回家」這種心情說得體面又不虛偽，旅行末尾、聚會散場都能直接用。

This is nice, but if I'm being very honest with you, I'm looking forward to ...

想禮貌地表達玩累了、想回去時用，語氣坦白；對同行朋友說最自然。

It's lovely here, but I'm ready to head home. ／ I've enjoyed it, though I'm keen to get back.

口語

very honest 重讀，looking forward to 連讀，home 稍微拖長。

The trip's been great, but if I'm being very honest, I'm looking forward to my own bed. 這趟旅行很棒，但說實話，我盼著睡回自己的床。