a hot potato燙手山芋

先否定再翻倍，同一句裡兩級遞進把處境拉到最黑，冷得發疼。

As for ..., it's not ..., it's ...

當面把話說重、讓對方別再自我安慰時用；安慰人時千萬別這麼講。

It's not bad, it's a disaster. ／ Things aren't difficult, they're impossible.

口語

As for 稍停，not bad 輕讀，terrible 重音拉長。

As for the deadline, it's not tight, it's impossible. 至於這個截止日期，不是緊，是根本做不完。

排比一路加碼，從證明到發誓再到任何場合，把絕望裡的硬撐寫得響亮。

I can prove that. I can swear to it.

被人懷疑、急著自證時用；法庭或正式文書裡少用感嘆號。

I can prove it, anywhere, anytime. ／ I'd swear to it in front of anyone.

中性

兩個 I can 重讀，anywhere 尾音上揚，收得乾脆。

I can prove it. I can swear to it in front of anyone. 我能證明。當著誰的面我都敢發誓。

把「血濃於水」偷換成「血濃於證據」，一句諺語就判了妻子證詞的死刑。

It has been known, ... .

要提醒對方某事其實常有、並不稀奇時用；正式晚宴上別拿諺語開玩笑。

It has been known to happen. ／ Stranger things have been known.

中性

It has been known 輕快帶過，引語處放慢，落字清楚。

It has been known, you know, for friends to lie for each other. 這種事不是沒有過，朋友之間也會互相撒謊。

把“殺雞取卵”倒過來問一句，邏輯漏洞立刻變成全場最妙的反駁。

If he'd been hoping for ..., why kill ...?

辯論或講理時指出對方前後矛盾能用；安慰情緒中的人時不要用。

If you wanted the reward, why burn the bridge? ／ Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?

literary

golden egg 連讀，why kill 加重，before it was laid 放慢收尾。

If he wanted the client to stay, why kill the deal before it was signed? 他要留住客戶，為什麼在簽約前就把生意攪黃？