Treading water意思
"Treading water" is an English idiom that has several meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. Here are some common interpretations:
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Surviving a Difficult Situation: This is the most common usage. It refers to staying afloat or keeping one's head above water in a difficult or challenging situation, often without making much progress. It suggests that one is just managing to survive or cope with a problem without making significant headway towards solving it.
Example: "After the company lost its biggest client, they've been treading water, trying to find new business."
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Maintaining a Status Quo: It can also mean maintaining the current situation without making any significant changes or improvements. This usage implies that one is not advancing or moving forward, but neither are they regressing.
Example: "The team has been treading water since the departure of their star player."
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Idling or Passing Time: In a more casual sense, it can mean spending time doing nothing of importance or value, just keeping busy enough to stay afloat.
Example: "I've been treading water since I finished my last project, waiting for my next assignment."
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Physical Activity: Literally, "treading water" refers to a swimming technique where a person moves their arms and legs to keep their head above the surface of the water without actually swimming in any particular direction. This is often done to rest or to stay in one place.
Example: "She was tired from swimming, so she decided to tread water for a while."
In all cases, the phrase "treading water" implies a sense of effort or activity that is focused on maintaining a current state rather than advancing or improving it.