take on a huge task bit by bit with limited resources
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to tackle a huge task through small, persistent efforts with limited means
neutralEmphasizes perseverance and resourcefulness in the face of a daunting challenge. Often used to describe arduous, long-term projects or work done under constraints.
Tā他
men们
méi没
yǒu有
zhòng重
xíng型
jī机
xiè械
，
zhǐ只
néng能
kào靠
mǎ蚂
yǐ蚁
kěn啃
gǔ骨
tou头
de的
jīng精
shén神
xiū修
jiàn建
zhè这
tiáo条
shān山
lù路
。
Without heavy machinery, they could only rely on the 'ant gnawing at a bone' spirit to build this mountain road.
Kē科
yán研
tuán团
duì队
yòng用
zhè这
zhǒng种
mǎ蚂
yǐ蚁
kěn啃
gǔ骨
tou头
de的
fāng方
fǎ法
，
zhōng终
yú于
gōng攻
kè克
le了
jì技
shù术
nán难
guān关
。
Using this method of 'ants gnawing at a bone,' the research team finally overcame the technical hurdle.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Dāng当
chū初
chuàng创
yè业
，
wǒ我
men们
jiù就
shì是
mǎ蚂
yǐ蚁
kěn啃
gǔ骨
tou头
，
yī一
diǎn点
diǎn点
bǎ把
gōng公
sī司
zuò做
qǐ起
lái来
de的
。
When we started the business, we built the company bit by bit, just like ants gnawing at a bone.
Mǎ蚂
yǐ蚁
kěn啃
gǔ骨
tou头
de的
jīng精
shén神
zhí值
dé得
wǒ我
men们
xué学
xí习
。
The spirit of 'ants gnawing at a bone' is worth learning from.