1. Expression: work one’s way up

Explanation：To start at humble or modest beginnings, but rising in position, importance, or influence through hard work and determination. （奋力从底层做起，逐步晋升或提升）

这个短语是指：最初卑微或谦虚开始做事，然后通过努力工作和决心使得自己的地位、重要性或影响力提升。

Example：She worked her way up from a small one-woman online business to a media empire that employs thousands around the globe.

她通过自己的努力，从一个只有一个女人经营的小网络公司成长为一个在全球拥有数千名员工的媒体帝国。

Just look at Johnson if you need proof: He started in the mail room, but worked his way up to one of the top lawyers at the firm.

如果你需要证据的话，看看约翰逊就知道了：他一开始是在收发室工作，但后来逐渐成为公司里最优秀的律师之一。

He’s worked his way up from an office junior to managing director.

他从办公室的初级职员一步步升到总经理。

2. Expression：kick the bucket

Explanation：To die. （死亡，翘辫子，蹬腿儿）

Example：Your old friend Charley's not working here any more. In fact we heard he kicked the bucket down in Texas last winter——he got kicked in the head by a horse when he was trying to saddle up.

你的老朋友查理已经不在这儿做了。事实上，我们听说他去年冬天已经在得克萨斯州死了。他在套马的时候，那匹马往他的头上踢了一脚。

That old dog next door finally kicked the bucket. He was sixteen years old, toothless, blind and could hardly get around. Sixteen years is a long time for a dog, so it was time for him to go.

隔壁的那条狗终于死了。那狗已经有十六岁了、牙都没了、又瞎、行动也不方便。十六岁了，对狗来说也是时候了。

The doctor said the old girl is about to kick the bucket — got some sort of kidney infection.

医生说那个老女孩快要死了——她得了某种肾脏感染。

All the money goes to her when the old man kicks the bucket.

那老人去世后，所有的钱都归她所有。

情景对话：

A：Do you know Tom, the old guy who had stolen 5,000 bucks from me? I heard his daughter would get married this Sunday and I may take the chance to catch him.

你知道Tom吗？那个偷我5000美元的老家伙？我听说他的女儿这周日要结婚，或许我可以乘此机会逮住他。

B：Didin’t you know? Old Tom kicked the bucket two month ago.

难道你不知道吗？老Tom两个月前就蹬腿儿死了。