kick the bucket一命呜呼

把祝福和自我认输并列，一句就交代了整段婚姻的亏欠。

She deserves all this ... I couldn't give her.

真心祝福旧人时用；对不熟的人说会显得交浅言深。

She deserves everything I failed to give her. ／ She should have all the things I never could offer.

中性

deserves all 连读，couldn't give her 放慢，句尾下沉。

She deserves all the happiness I couldn't give her. 我没能给的幸福，她都该得到。

先认错再表忠，前半句松、后半句稳，人情世故全在里面。

I admit I wasn't much of a ..., but you can always count on me.

向旧人认错又表态时用；正式场合稍显油滑，慎用。

I know I failed as a husband, but I'm still here for you. ／ Maybe I was a poor husband, yet you can rely on me.

口语

I admit 轻读，much of a husband 连读，count on me 重读收尾。

I admit I wasn't much of a friend, but you can count on me now. 我承认以前不算个好朋友，但现在你可以指望我。

用一个夸张到好笑的假设，把政客的算计一句说透。

would ... to be reelected

讽刺为私利不择手段的人时用；公开评论政客要当心。

He would sell his own mother to win. ／ That mayor would do anything to stay in office.

口语

would hang 重读，to be reelected 连读，句尾略降。

He would sell out his own team to get promoted. 他为了升职，连自己团队都能卖。

保险推销的自嘲真相，一句黑色幽默把行业本质说透。

we don't help you much while you're alive, but afterward

自嘲某行业只能事后补救时用；对逝者家属说这话极其不敬，别用。

It doesn't help much now, but later on. ／ We're only useful after the fact.

口语

while you're alive 连读，but afterward 放慢并降调。

Legal advice never helps while you're calm, only when you're desperate. 法律建议在你冷静时没用，只有走投无路时才灵。

先褒后贬，一句俏皮话把对方的魅力说成家族遗传。

He comes by it naturally. His ... was a ...

损熟人天生就有的毛病时用；对不熟的人或当着他家人说会翻脸。

She comes by it naturally. Her mother was a fox. ／ He gets it honestly. His father was a shark.

口语

naturally 稍停，snake 拖长带笑，语气别做狠。

She comes by it naturally. Her mother was a magpie. 她这是遗传，她妈就爱叽叽喳喳。