tread water maintain an upright position in deep water by moving the feet with a walking movement and the hands with a downward circular motion 踩水。 ■ figurative fail to advance or make progress 〈喻〉原地踏步; 无进展： men who are treading water in their careers. 事业停滞的人。 ˌtread ˈwater1to keep yourself vertical in deep water by moving your arms and legs踩水（摆动四肢使身体在深水中保持直立）2to make no progress while you are waiting for sth to happen蹑足不前；徘徊观望 |