a big stink闹得满城风雨

一句玩笑就把吃醋、主客和界限感全包在里头。

I wouldn't mind, but not in my car

半开玩笑地划界限、打趣别人时用；认真不满时要说得更直接。

I don't care what you do, just not in my kitchen. ／ Fine by me, as long as it's not on my time.

口语

had eloped 连读，not in my car 逐词加重。

I don't mind you borrowing it, but not without asking. 你借可以，但不能不打招呼。

先损一句再转好感，把矛盾的心情说得准确又体面。

a little on the dull side

评价一个人有缺点却讨喜时用；当着本人说前半句会得罪人。

He's a bit on the quiet side, but you warm to him. ／ Not the liveliest man, yet impossible to dislike.

中性

on the dull side 轻读，can't help liking 连读。

The new manager is a little on the strict side, but you can't help respecting her. 新经理有点严，可你就是忍不住敬重她。

把一场家庭风暴用两个 so 轻轻带过，任性里带着坦白。

so there'll be a big stink ..., so who cares?

明知会惹麻烦却决意这么做时用；认真商量后果时不该用它。

There'll be a scene, and I honestly don't care. ／ Let them make a fuss; it changes nothing.

口语

big stink 重读，So who cares 尾音下压带轻蔑。

So there'll be a big stink at work. So who cares? 单位里会闹翻天又怎样？谁在乎？

两个短句把感情算成了利害，冷静得让人一凉。

someone is our only ally

点明某人不可得罪、非靠不可时用；用在朋友身上会显得算计。

He's the only one on our side, so play nice. ／ We cannot afford to lose him.

中性

very important 重读，only ally 放慢收住。

Don't upset the client; he's our only ally right now. 别得罪这个客户，眼下他可是我们唯一的靠山。

同一句重复两遍，把逃避现实、只想听下去的心情说尽。

Keep doing something.

想让对方继续讲下去、别停下时用；命令别人干活也可以，但语气更硬。

Don't stop, keep going. ／ Go on, I'm listening.

口语

Keep talking 两次，第二次更轻更慢，像自言自语。

Keep talking, I want to hear how it ends. 接着说，我想听结局。