Still others associate politics with flattery，fearful that, if they speak up for themselves, they may appear to be flattering their boss for favors.
英语四级译文:
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。
四级词汇讲解:
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。
asociate...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:
Its 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。
英语四级考点归纳:
associate with还有以下含义:
associate with.意为 与某人打交道 。如:
I dont 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 myselfwith that proposal.我同意那个提案。