power play权力博弈

用最脏的比喻讲最硬的职场规矩：被踩了就得当场顶回去。

When somebody ..., you don't ...

跟朋友吐槽被上司打压、劝人别退让时能用；正式场合不要。

When they come at you, you don't back off. ／ If someone disrespects you, you don't just reschedule.

口语

somebody takes 连读，you don't 收得快。

When somebody cancels on you last minute, you don't just reschedule. 别人临时取消你的约，你可不是随便改个时间就算了。

一句冷判断戳破场面，把“会议”还原成权力游戏。

It's a power play.

看穿别人借流程立威时能用；对上级别当面说。

It's all about power. ／ It's a move to show who's boss.

口语

power play 两个重音，play 稍拖。

Calling that meeting wasn't teamwork; it was a power play. 开那个会不是合作，是在耍权术。

用一句轻蔑的“所以”把对方的判断力钉在职位上。

Well, that's why you're still ...

讽刺别人多年没长进时用；职场里对同事说很伤人。

That's why you never got promoted. ／ And that's why you're still here.

口语

that's why 连读，clerk 收尾下沉。

Well, that's why you're still broke. 所以你到现在还是没钱。

用“靠盯人吃饭”把职业身份说成一句硬气回话。

We ... for a living.

被质疑专业能力时，用职业本身回敬；语气半玩笑。

We do this for a living. ／ That's how I make my living.

中性

for a living 弱读带过，living 重音在前。

I fix engines for a living, trust me. 我就是修发动机吃饭的，信我。

把跟踪训练叫成“幽灵学校”，一句挖苦把专业贬成儿戏。

Is this what they teach you in ... school?

嘲讽对方专业训练没用时用；带火气，别对长辈说。

Is that what they taught you at school? ／ Did they teach you that in training?

口语

teach you 连读，school 用升调反问。

Is this what they teach you in driving school? 驾校就教你这么开车的？

用一句体面的反问把擅离职守说成“为大局考虑”。

Which do you think would better serve ...?

想优雅地把自己的选择说成更合理时用；偏正式。

Which option do you think serves us better? ／ What do you think would work best?

正式

which do you think 连读，serve 重读。

Which do you think would better serve the team? 你觉得哪种做法更有利于团队？