circumstantial evidence間接證據

用「動脈的年齡」代替「人老了」，自嘲得不動聲色。

You'd better get a man with ...

半開玩笑地承認自己力不從心、勸對方另請高明時用；對長輩別說這種話。

You'd better find someone with more energy. ／ You should get a man who can keep up.

口語

You'd better 縮成 you-better，younger arteries 兩個詞都咬清楚。

You'd better get a friend with younger legs for that hike. 那次徒步，你最好找個腿腳更年輕的朋友。

一個 web，就把一堆零散旁證說成收得越來越緊的羅網。

be caught in a web of ...

形容人陷進複雜處境、被各種線索圍住時用；正式報告別用這種比喻。

He is trapped in a web of lies. ／ She felt caught in a web of obligations.

中性

caught in a 連讀，circumstantial 重音落在第三音節。

He was caught in a web of rumors he never started. 他陷進了一張並非自己惹起的流言之網。

把謀殺和救命並排放，知恩圖報顯得又冷又暖。

Whether or not ..., you certainly ...

想先不追究某件事、轉而肯定對方另一面時用；嚴肅場合別拿謀殺打比方。

Whether or not you meant it, you certainly helped. ／ Guilty or not, you did save the day.

中性

Whether or not 連讀，middle-aged widow 分組，certainly 重讀。

Whether or not you were late, you certainly saved the meeting. 不管你遲沒遲到，你確實救了這場會。

夸人誇到最不像誇獎的地方，冷麵調侃裡全是認可。

All the instincts of a skilled ...

對熟人用反話表示讚賞時能用；對剛認識的人或上級不要用，容易誤解。

All the instincts of a born negotiator. ／ You have a natural talent for trouble.

口語

Splendid 輕挑，All the instincts 連讀，skilled criminal 放慢收尾。

Splendid. All the instincts of a skilled bargain hunter. 好傢伙，活脫脫一個砍價高手的本能。