He spent all his life in dropping buckets into empty wells.

However, in the past, these attempts were usually futile.

但是, 在过去, 这些尝试通常徒劳无益.

The most futile thing in this world is any attempt, perhaps, at exact definition of character.

世界上最徒劳无益的事情, 也许就是企图给性格下个正确的定义.

It had been useless to run, as the nearest cover was far beyond reach.

这时要逃也徒劳无益了, 离得最近的藏身处也远不可及.

It's useless arguing / to argue with them.

跟他们争论是徒劳无益的.

His analysis of political order had immediate , real-world applications.

他对政治秩序的分析有着立竿见影的现实应用.

So once again, China needed growth and they needed it now.

因此, 中国再一次迫切需要经济增长,而且是立竿见影的增长.

Such method often can quick results, receives the effect.

这样的方法往往能够立竿见影, 收到奇效.

The athlete may not see an immediate tangible improvement in performance.

运动表现可能不会出现立竿见影的提高.

In America the effects were immediate.

在美洲,这种功效是立竿见影的.

His stance was relaxed.

他悠然自得地站着.

She seemed very relaxed in her natural setting as it were.

她似乎十分悠然自得--可以说是有自己随遇而安的天地.

She seemed very relaxed ---- in her natural setting as it were.

她似乎十分 悠然自得,可以说是随遇而安.

A hairy crab is leisurely making bubbles in the water.

一只大闸蟹在水中悠然自得地吐着泡泡.

The performer seemed quite at home anywhere between a horse's head and its tail.

这个表演者躺在马的头尾之间就象在家里那样悠然自得.

He did everything in a leisurely manner.

无论干什么,他都是悠然自得的.

The sight of his composure had a disturbing effect on Lily.

他这泰然自若的神情倒使丽莉有些心慌.

We should frame our minds to the becoming composure of still-life.

我们应当培养出准备变成静物的那种泰然自若的心情.

His frenzy of the previous day had all calm down.

他一脸泰然自若的样子.

It would never do to appear schoolgirlish beside Melanie's poised self.

在媚兰那泰然自若的姿态旁边,显得学生气可绝对不行呀!

His blood was almost frozen when he saw the ghost's face behind the window glass.

当他看到窗玻璃后面的鬼脸时,他吓得魂飞魄散.