談價錢除了要求discount、cost down,商用英文還可以這麼說...
Ray想拜託朋友牽線採訪某個企業家。
朋友說:If you want an interview with Mr. Musk, I could probably swing it for you.
這裡的swing不是指搖擺,更不是高爾夫裡面的揮桿,而是安排manage to do something,更有種特別「安插、牽線」的意思、使什麼事成功。
Swing it for you
(X) 搖晃東西
(O) 幫忙安排
I can swing it, let me take care of the job.
我可以幫忙,讓我來做吧。
Can you swing a day off for me on Friday?
可以幫我週五排休嗎?
Downtown would be better for me. So if you can swing it, let's meet there.
市區對我來說比較適合,如果你也能接受,我們就在市區碰面吧。
I’ve tried everyone, but nobody can swing it.
我已經找了所有人,但沒人可以幫忙這事。——《職場老媽》Workin’ Moms
What can you swing? 你能出價多少?
在《六人行》Friends裡面有一幕,業務要賣一本百科全書給Joey,也用swing這字來講價錢。
The salesperson: Well ah, what can you swing?
指的就是”How much can you afford?” 你能出價多少?
swing本身也有搖擺不定的意思,也常見政治新聞提及這個字
swing vote 關鍵選票(搖擺選票)
swing voter 搖擺選民
swing states 搖擺不定的州
Get into the swing of things 順應環境,享受其中
另外swing還有個片語”get into the swing of things/it”,表示人開始理解並融入,變得積極投入其中。
After returning from her maternity leave, Kate couldn't get into the swing of things back at work.
Kate從產假回來上班之後,還不能適應環境。
We're here to enjoy the music – why don't you relax and get into the swing of things?
我們來這裡就是要享受音樂,何不就放鬆一下享受其中呢?