苟且偷生gǒu qiě tōu shēnglive a meaningless life; drag out an ignoble existence; live on just for the sake of remaining alive; live on without ambition
❍ 但他知道，那种的高官厚禄，那种的～，是比死还要可怕。(郭沫若 《屈原》 15) But he realized that such high position and such a meaningless life were more to be dreaded than death，…/先生决不愿～，我也是决不愿苟且偷生的！ (郭沫若《屈原》124) He would never consent to live in shame,and neither will I! 苟且偷生ɡǒu qiě tōu shēnɡ得过且过，勉强活着。drag out an ignoble existence, consent to live in shame, mere vegetative existence |