John一早碰到外國同事，順口關心昨天和客戶的會議進行如何，外國同事說："It didn't go well. I really put my foot in my mouth."John嚇了一大跳，誰會開會的時候這樣啊？
原來put one's foot in one's mouth特別指一個人說錯話造成尷尬場面、或引起不快，也可以說"I really put my mouth in it."
英文裡還有這些說法，可以形容社交中的不同角色與狀況：
emollient
這個字是指使皮膚柔軟的潤膚劑，在中文裡也是很常用的比喻。
As a social emollient, he succeeded in resolving the conflicts between the two companies and won the contract for his boss.作為潤滑劑，他成功解開兩家公司的矛盾並為他的老闆贏得了這次的合約。
turn/go sour
本來用來形容牛奶在常溫下放久了就會變酸，也可以表示一段關係變糟了。
After he got caught in a lie, their friendship went sour.自從他被抓包說謊，他們的友情就惡化了。
throw sth in(to) one’s face
除了真的拿東西朝人的臉砸，另一意思是把問題或批評擺在對方面前，要他面對。
Jerry caused this mess. I'll throw the whole problem into his face and tell him to fix it.Jerry搞得一團糟，我要把問題攤出來要他解決。
take issue with sb.
不同意某人的觀點或言行的時候，我們就可以這樣說來正式表達對某人的異議。
The legislator took issue with the mayor over his new transportation policies.這位立法委員批評市長提出的交通新政。
take sth in one's stride
從容面對問題。Stride是步伐，這句話也就是照著自己的步伐不受影響的意思。
A politician would better learn to take criticism in his or her stride.一位政治家最好學會對他人的批評處之泰然。
Put sb at his ease
意思是讓人安心、放下心。
Sally's sense of humor put him at his ease.莎莉的幽默感讓他放下了心。 （相關報導： 英文裡的「來來去去」搞不清？把握2大原則讓你說的更自然 ｜ 更多文章 ）
本文經授權轉載自世界公民文化中心（原篇名：Put your foot in your mouth不是真的要你把腳放到嘴裡）
