on the up-and-up为人正派

用两极对比把责任说成私人底线，粗话反而衬出真诚。

While that may not mean ... to you, it means ... to me

要表明这事对你无所谓、对我却很重要时用，朋友间最自然；正式场合换文雅说法。

That may be nothing to you, but it matters to me. ／ You may not care, but I do.

口语

to you 轻快，to me 逐词加重收住。

That rule may mean nothing to you, but it means a lot to me. 那条规矩对你可能无所谓，可对我很重要。

把逃避说成最合理的选择，一句话点破所有人的心虚。

as much ... as humanly possible

说要把某事做到极限时用，日常和书面都行；谈感情或道歉时这样说会显得生硬。

As far away as possible. ／ As much as anyone could.

中性

as much 与 as humanly possible 分两组，中间顿一下。

I'd put as much space between us and that mess as humanly possible. 我会尽量跟那摊烂事撇得远远的。

三短句一串，像命令又像自救，把慌乱中的当机立断写足了。

First things first.

要拉回重点、催人先做要紧事时用，工作或家里都合适；对长辈下令式地说会失礼。

Let's do the important thing first. ／ One thing at a time.

口语

first 两处重读，gotta book up 连读带过。

First things first, let's make sure everyone is safe. 先办要紧的，确认大家都安全。

把责任直接摁在自己身上，短促、不找借口，比任何辩解都重。

The ... is my fault.

承担责任、认错时用；对上级或同伴都能用，但真不是你的错时别硬扛。

That one is on me. ／ I'm the one who put that bullet there.

中性

bullet in his belly 连成一串，is my fault 逐词放稳。

The delay in the report is my fault. 报告迟交，是我的错。

bleed like a stuck pig 用一个画面就把失血的惨状说尽，比任何形容词都狠。

sb bleeds like a stuck pig

形容流血很多、场面吓人时用；对伤者家属或正式场合说太残忍，别用。

He's bleeding like crazy. ／ The blood just won't stop.

口语

can't walk 连读，bleeds like a stuck pig 连成一串。

I cut my hand and bled like a stuck pig. 我割到手，血流得吓人。