on thin ice如履薄冰

把「不是约会」说得又绕又认真，越用力澄清越显得心虚。

I didn't want there to be any mistaking it for ...

想强调一件事别被误读时用；日常闲聊这样说太长，正式澄清倒很合适。

I didn't want anyone to take it the wrong way. ／ I wanted no chance of it looking like a date.

中性

there to be 轻读，mistaking it for 连读，date 稍作停顿。

I didn't want there to be any mistaking it for a work trip. 我不想让这被误会成出差。

先说处境危险，再抛一个更大的包袱，自嘲里全是坦白。

I'm already on thin ice with ...

形容自己已经惹人不满、不能再出错时用；对上司说等于承认理亏，要慎用。

I'm already in trouble with my family. ／ I'm walking on eggshells at home.

口语

thin ice 连读，with my 弱读，lost my job 放慢。

I'm already on thin ice with my boss after last week. 上周之后，我在老板那儿已经如履薄冰了。

一句大白话说出病人的自救心态，you know 让独白变成对话。

I just gotta get a ...

跟朋友说自己需要办法时用；gotta 太口语，正式场合换成 have to。

I just need to find a plan. ／ I've got to work out a strategy.

口语

gotta get a 连读成一块，you know 轻带上扬。

I just gotta get a study plan before Monday. 周一之前我得弄出个复习计划。

把最难堪的理由说得平淡，后半句轻描淡写反而更刺人。

I was very depressed after ... It was a lot of people.

解释自己一段荒唐过往时用，带自嘲和平静；正式场合别这么随口交代。

I was really low after he died. There were a lot of people. ／ Grief made me reckless. It added up.

口语

very depressed 放平，a lot of people 快速带过。

I was very depressed after the divorce. It was a lot of bad decisions. 离婚后我特别低落。那时候做了不少糊涂决定。

把「吃药」和「羞耻」绑在一句里，说出很多人不敢说的难堪。

... which I feel ashamed of.

坦白自己难以启齿的处境时用，适合信任的人之间；当众说可能被轻看。

They gave me pills, and I'm ashamed of it. ／ I'm on medication, and I hate admitting it.

中性

put me on 连读，ashamed of 放低收尾。

I see a therapist now, which I feel ashamed of. 我现在看心理医生，我为此觉得丢人。