rest assured请放心

把裁人说得像谈心，“价值”二字既是安抚也是刀，一句立住权力关系。

it is time we talked about X

谈敏感话题时用来缓冲，对下属或家人可以；对方刚受打击时别用。

I think it's time we had an honest talk about your role. ／ Maybe we should sit down and talk about where you fit.

中性

I think 轻读，重音落在 value，句尾收平稳。

I think it is time that we talked about your goals for next year. 我想是时候谈谈你明年的目标了。

不点破也不指控，一句“我知道”就把把柄摆在桌上，威胁全在留白里。

I know what you did to someone

手握把柄又不想撕破脸时用，对同事熟人都行，正式书面别写。

I know exactly what went on here. ／ We both know what happened to her.

口语

I know 稍停，what you all did 连读，Pam 压低。

I know what you did to my laptop, so just tell me the truth. 我知道你对我的电脑做了什么，老实说吧。

用一句购物闲聊拆掉对方的威胁，答非所问本身就是权力的展示。

is that X or are we talking Y

想试探或岔开话题时用，对熟人打趣可以，对上级别用。

Is that a gift, or are we talking a splurge? ／ Is it a treat or are we talking a full makeover?

口语

两个 is that 间停顿，or are we talking 连读。

Is that a sale find or are we talking full price? 那是打折淘的，还是原价买的？

用闲话夸项链来岔开下属的威胁，轻飘飘一句比任何狠话都阴。

I have got an eye for these things.

聊品味、挑东西时对熟人说很自然；对上级或客户说会显得随便，别在正式场合用。

I have a good eye for that kind of thing. ／ You develop an eye for these things.

口语

sort of 轻轻带过，I don't know 收尾要像随口补一句。

You have got an eye for color; that scarf is perfect. 你挑颜色真有眼光，这条围巾太合适了。