tread water
US /trɛd ˈwɔtər/
UK /trɛd ˈwɔtər/
1.
原地踏步, 停滯不前
to stay in the same position without making progress, especially in a difficult situation
:
•
The company has been treading water for months, waiting for the economy to improve.
公司已經停滯不前好幾個月了，等待經濟好轉。
•
I feel like I'm just treading water in my career, not really advancing.
我感覺我的職業生涯只是在原地踏步，沒有真正的進步。
2.
踩水, 浮在水面
to stay afloat in water by moving the legs and arms slightly
:
•
The lifeguard taught the children how to tread water.
救生員教孩子們如何踩水。
•
She could tread water for a long time, which saved her when the boat capsized.
她能長時間踩水，這在船翻了的時候救了她。