work oneself to the bone; toil desperately
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
work oneself to death for someone or something
Often implies being exploited or having no choice due to poverty.
Tā他
wèi为
nà那
ge个
hēi黑
xīn心
lǎo老
bǎn板
mài卖
mìng命
le了
shí十
nián年
，
què却
zhǐ只
huàn换
lái来
wēi微
bó薄
de的
xīn薪
shuǐ水
。
He worked himself to the bone for that unscrupulous boss for ten years, only to receive meager pay.
Wèi为
le了
yǎng养
jiā家
hú糊
kǒu口
，
tā他
bù不
dé得
bù不
zài在
gōng工
dì地
mài卖
mìng命
。
To support his family, he has no choice but to toil desperately on the construction site.
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Bié别
shǎ傻
le了
，
bù不
zhí值
dé得
wèi为
zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
mài卖
mìng命
。
Don't be foolish; it's not worth killing yourself for this company.
adjective
working with utmost effort; exerting oneself to the max
Can describe someone who is working extremely hard, often to the point of being excessive.
Yōu悠
zhe着
diǎn点
er儿
gàn干
，
bù不
yào要
tài太
mài卖
mìng命
le了
。
Take it easy; don't work yourself so hard.
Tā他
shì是
ge个
mài卖
mìng命
de的
yuán员
gōng工
，
měi每
tiān天
dōu都
gōng工
zuò作
dào到
hěn很
wǎn晚
。
He is an extremely hardworking employee who works late every day.
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Jiàn健
kāng康
dì第
yī一
，
gōng工
zuò作
bié别
nà那
me么
mài卖
mìng命
。
Health comes first; don't work yourself to death.