很多英语表达如果你按照中式思维翻译，很容易闹笑话。譬如，“Dog-eat-dog”直译就是“狗咬狗”但其实它表达的真实意思是“激烈竞争”。

溯源：

The expression comes from the Latin saying "a dog does not eat another dog."

这个短语源自拉丁语“小狗不会自相残杀。”

"Dog-eat-dog" describes a situation where people will do anything to be successful.

“残酷的竞争”用来形容某个处境，在这种处境下人们为获得成功而无所不用其极。

They do not care if they have to hurt other people in the process.

他们不会顾及过程中是否会伤及他人。

举一个对话为例：

A：The media industry is so competitive.

当前传媒产业竞争十分激烈。

B：I know. But these days, so many industries are.

我意识到了。然而目前传媒产业百花齐放。

A：It's really just a dog-eat-dog world.

传媒产业相互间竞争十分残酷。

B：I want to work in a place that is the opposite of dog-eat-dog. You know, warm-and-fuzzy.

我想在竞争不那么残酷的环境里工作。你知道吗，就是那种温暖舒适的环境。

A：Me too. Maybe we could raise sheep and make wool sweaters.

我也是。也许我们还能饲养绵羊，做羊毛衫。

例句：

Some people say we live in a dog-eat-dog world.

有人说我们生活在一个竞争激烈的世界。

The competitive pursuit of knowledge is not a dog-eat-dog Darwinian struggle.

对知识的竞争追求并不是一场激烈的达尔文式的斗争。

Football is like dog-eat-dog and when you get your chance you have to take it, and I am just looking forward to the next game and hopefully I can prove myself again.

足球是残酷的，当你机会来了你就得抓住它。现在我很期待着下一场比赛，希望我能再次证明自己。