299.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:
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。

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 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 myselfwith that proposal.我同意那个提案。