01.

一针及时，可省九针

A stitch in time saves nineA small effort made at the right time might save a big problem later on.

• Fixing that frayed rope was a real stitch in time. It would probably have snapped when the wind got up later if we hadn't.修理那根磨损的绳子真是一件费时费力的事。如果我们不这么做的话，晚些时候起风时它可能就断了。
  

02.
早起的鸟儿有虫吃

The early bird gets the worm.The person who arrives first is the one who is successful.

• We'll want to be at the theater early for the best seats – the early bird gets the worm!我们想早点到电影院去抢最好的座位——早起的鸟儿有虫吃!
  

• I need to get up early tomorrow and go to the job centre - the early bird gets the worm!我明天要早起去就业中心——早起的鸟儿有虫吃!
  

03.拖延
ProcrastinationThe act of delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.

• This is no time for procrastination, and we need decisive action.

  现在不是拖延的时候，我们需要果断的行动。
  

• We can't afford any procrastination this week, and everything must be finished by Friday.这个星期我们不能拖延，所有的事情必须在星期五前完成。
  

04.事实胜于雄辩
Actions speak louder than words

• He spoke up for the immigrants, but he gave them a bed in his house -  actions speak louder than words.

  他为移民们说话，却在自己的房子里给了他们一张床——事实胜于雄辩。

  
  

• I don't care what he says, only what he does - actions speak louder than words.

  我不在乎他说什么，只在乎他做什么——行动胜于空谈。

  
  

05.熬夜，开夜车
Burn the midnight oilTo work late into the night.

• Sorry, I can't come to the pub. This report's due at 9 am and I'll need to burn the midnight oil if I am going to get it finished.

  对不起，我不能去酒吧。这份报告要在上午9点交，如果我要完成它的话，我得加夜班。

  
  

• I have an important exam tomorrow, so I'm going to burn the midnight oil to prepare for it.

  明天我有一个重要的考试，所以我打算今晚要挑灯夜读了。

  
  

06.费力的工作

Elbow grease - a lot of physical effort.

A raised edge along the side of a street, often forming part of a path for people to walk on.

• The polish needs a certain amount of elbow grease to apply.
  这抛光工作需要花一定的力气才能完成。
  
  

07.加倍努力
Go the extra mile - going beyond what is usually required.

• He didn't need to pick me up from the airport. I'm grateful that he went the extra mile.他不需要去机场接我。我很感激他做这么多。
• She went the extra mile for dinner tonight by baking her famous apple pie for dessert.她为今晚的晚餐做了很多努力，烤了她拿手的苹果派当甜点。
  

08.竭尽全力
Bend over backwardsMake extravagant efforts to avoid bias.

• The man bent over backwards to show he was not favoring his friend in the argument.

  那人竭力表示他不赞同朋友在辩论中的观点。

  
  

• We will bend over backwards to be fair to both parties.
  我们会尽一切努力对双方都公平。
  
  
  

09.用功学习
Hit the booksTo study, especially for a test or exam.

• I've done no work for the end of terms exams. I need to hit the books big time..

  我没有为期末考试做任何功课。我得好好读书了。

  
  

• My lawyer said he needed to hit the books in preparation for my court case next week.

  律师说他需要好好准备我下周的庭审。

  
  

10.筋疲力尽

Run out of steam / running on fumes

Completely out of energy.

• I'm running out of steam, and I need to take a break.
  我已经筋疲力尽了，我需要休息一下。
  

• I was going strong in the marathon until I hit the wall at the twenty-mile mark. Then I was running on fumes.我在马拉松比赛中一直劲头很足，直到我跑到二十英里处，我就筋疲力尽了。