A:  This rat race is getting me down. I'm a t the end of my rope.
B: Don't come apart at the seams. Look for another job.
A: I always get cold feet. I'll be in this dead-end job 'til I kick the bucket.
B: Don't sell yourself short. Maybe your boss will give you a promotion. Tell him you want to talk turkey.

A : 这种无止境的竞争让我感到失望。
B : 不要失去理智，换个工作看看吧！
A : 我总是裹足不前。我会一直做这个没有前途的工作直到死去。
B : 不要看轻自己。或许你的上司会升你的职，和他谈一谈吧！

rat race：激烈的竞争

at the end of one's rope：山穷水尽
The great king felt himself at the end of his rope. 
这位伟大的国王已感日暮途穷。
We are not at the end of our rope. 
我们还没有到山穷水尽的地步。 
He was at the end of his rope as a political leader. 
作为一位政治领袖，他已是智穷才尽了。 
After six months on strike, the workers were at the end of their rope. 
工人们经过6个月的罢工后已经精疲力竭了 
Leon was out of work and broke, and he was at the end of his rope. 
利昂失了业，身无分文，已是山穷水尽了。 
Helen's husband was at the end of his rope over the matter. 
对于这事件，海伦的先生已无计可施。 

come apart at the seams：破裂，失败，崩溃
If inflation and unemployment get much higher,the whole country will begin to come apart at the seams. 
如果通货膨胀率和失业率继续增长，整个国家就要开始崩溃了。

get cold feet：裹足不前
Every time I want to ask her out, I get cold feet. 
每次我想约她出去，都打退堂鼓。 
Even the best athletes can get cold feet before a big game. 
就算是最好的运动员，也会在大型比赛开始前觉得紧张。 
The groom get cold feet just before the wedding and run off. 
就在婚礼开始之前, 新郎退缩, 溜走了。 
Soldiers must be fearless; they cannot get cold feet in the midst of battle. 
军人一定要无畏，他们不可以在战争中临阵退缩。 

dead-end job：无前途的工作 
Christie is tired of working at her dead-end job. 
克里斯蒂厌烦了她的没有出头之日的工作。 
I want to leave this dead-end job. 
我要放弃这个没前途的工作。 
I'll be in this dead-end job all my life. 
我要一辈子做这没出息的工作。 

kick the bucket：死亡
If he does not take care of himself, he may kick the bucket sooner or later. 
假如他自己不多保重身体，迟早会翘辫子。 
Feeling lonely and desperate in life , the penniless old hermit hoped that he would kick the bucket in a peaceful way . 
对生活感到孤独绝望，这位身无分文的老隐士希望以一种平和的方式了结一生。 
You're right, and it's enough to make one kick the bucket here.
你的话是对的，这地方真够把人闷死的。” 

sell short ：低估，小看
Don't sell her short: she's very gifted in some areas. 
别小看她, 她有些方面很有天赋。
Good for you! See, I told you: Never sell yourself short! 
太好了！看吧，我跟你说过，千万别妄自菲 

talk turkey：直率地说，坦白地
John wanted to talk turkey, but Jane just wanted to joke around. 
约翰想谈正经事，但是简只想闹着玩。 
If you're interested in the job, I don't say we couldn't talk turkey over a pot. 
如果你对这份工作有兴趣，我们不妨一边喝茶，一边谈正事儿。