wild-goose chase白跑一趟

把陪審團的好感與不信任並置，一句說盡庭上人心。

They liked X but they didn't believe him.

點評一個人討喜卻不被信任時用；當面這樣評價同事會傷人。

Everyone likes him, but nobody trusts him. ／ They warmed to him and still doubted every word.

中性

liked 與 didn't believe 重讀，but 輕快帶過。

The team liked the new lead but they didn't believe her. 團隊喜歡這位新負責人，卻不信她。

重複最後兩個字，把職業操守壓成一句沉甸甸的執念。

X's life is at stake. That's all that matters.

強調某事關係重大、別無選擇時用；日常小事上這樣說會顯得誇張。

His life is on the line, and nothing else counts. ／ This is about a life, not a reputation.

正式

at stake 重讀，all that matters 放慢，his life 前停頓。

Their homes are at stake. That's all that matters. 他們的家危在旦夕，這才是唯一要緊的。

用一句輕描淡寫的硬話，把病體與職責的分量全亮出來。

If I can't X, I'll do it Y.

表明無論如何都要完成任務時用；對需要休息的人別這樣逞強。

If I can't do it standing, I'll do it sitting. ／ Whatever my body says, the work gets done.

中性

If I can't 連讀，final appeal 重讀，sitting down 落穩。

If I can't walk there, I'll get there by bus. 要是我走不到那兒，我就坐公交去。

把整場審判的重量壓進“噩夢”一個詞，本集標題也由此而來。

It's like a nightmare. Some ... dream.

在承受巨大壓力、事情接連失控時用來形容處境；在喜慶或需要冷靜公事的場合不要這樣誇張。

It's like living in a bad dream. ／ This feels like a waking nightmare.

口語

God 輕吐，like a nightmare 一氣呵成，ghastly 加重。

These last two weeks have been like a nightmare. 過去這兩週簡直像一場噩夢。