299. Still others associate politics with flattery (奉承), fearful that, if they speak up for themselves, they may appear to be flattering their boss for favors.

译文

还有一些人将策略与阿谀奉承联系在一起，他们担心如果为自己说话，就可能被认为是为了得到宠信而奉承上司。

点睛

本句的主干是others associate politics。fearful that为插入语，that可理解为是引导从句的引导词，if引导的是条件状语从句，for favors为目的状语。

associate...with...的意思是“将……联系起来”。如：

Whisky is usually associated with Scotland. 人们通常把威士忌和苏格兰联系起来。

speak up for sb.的意思是“为某人明确而坦率地说出想法”。如：

It's time to speak up for those suffering injustice. 是时候为蒙受不公正对待的人们大声疾呼了。

考点归纳

associate with还有以下含义：

associate with sb.意为“与某人打交道”。如：

I don't like to associate with such people. 我不喜欢和这样的人打交道。

associate...with...还可意为“联想”。如：

I always associate him with speeding. 我总是由他联想到开快车。

associate oneself with sth.意为“声称或表示自己赞同某事物”。如：

I associated myself with that proposal. 我同意那个提案。