1.work like a mule:to work extraordinarily hard　工作非常卖力气
The doctor worked like a mule to help the dying patient pull through. Her life was saved because his herbal medicine worked like a charm.
大夫费了九牛二虎之力，把那个病入膏肓的病人救活了。因为他开的草药效验如神，药到病除。
2.old-timer:[口]老资格的人, 老前辈, 旧式的人
The old-timers take objection to modern music, such as rap, rock'n'roll, and heavy metal.
上年纪的人对现代音乐像说唱、摇滚音乐和重金属摇滚乐等持反对意见。
3.fling mud at sb.:诽谤；中伤
This accusation against Mary was trumped up (捏造) by some dirty guys who racked their brains to fling mud at her.
对玛丽的指责完全是一些下流的家伙捏造出来的，他们挖空心思诽谤她。
4.ingratiate oneself with sb./into sb.'s favor:讨好某人；巴结某人；逢迎
He did his best to ingratiate himself with his employer.
他竭力奉承老板。
5.let the person down gently:委婉待人；给人留面子。
I won't break the bad news all at once. I'll let her down gently. 我不会一下子把坏消息一古脑地倒出去，我会婉转地告诉她。
6.get on (one's) high horse:to be or become disdainful, superior, or conceited　趾高气扬；目空一切；盛气凌人
Tom has a swelled head and likes to get on his high horse, treating others like dirt.
汤姆夜郎自大，趾高气扬，老把别人看得一文不值。
7.rise through the ranks:to attain an increasingly high position　出类拔萃
The girl is just 17, but she has risen through the ranks of her classmates and is clearly one of our school's top pupils.
这个女孩才刚刚17岁。但在同龄人中，她出类拔萃，很明显是我们学校的高才生。
8.put (one's) nose to the grindstone:to work in earnest　认真地工作
Our employees are all loyal to our boss and put their nose to the grindstone from dawn till dusk, fulfilling their tasks superbly.
我们雇员对老板都忠心耿耿，从早到晚认真地工作，任务都完成得很出色。
9.pass the buck:to shift responsibility or blame to another　推御责任；把责任或责备推给别人
They lack teamwork and are apt to pass the buck once anything goes wrong.
他们缺少团队合作精神，一出问题就爱互相推卸责任。
10.work one's way into:兢兢业业地达成
The newcomer is down to the earth at work, and worked her way into a good position.
这位新来者脚踏实地、兢兢业业地工作，谋取了好职位。