You're gonna have to be able to come up for air.
你该休息一下喘口气。

—— Gossip Girl

come up for air 休息一下，暂停一会儿

这是一个含有比喻意味的词组，对游泳的人说来很熟悉，你在水里的时候必须时时把头伸出水面来换气。即使是深海作业的潜水员，到一定时间也必须升上水面呼吸新鲜空气，休息一下。因此come up for air就是为了持续做好某事而小歇一会儿的意思。

My classmate can sit and study for three or four hours without coming up for air. Not me! After an hour I have to get up and get a coke or a snack or just walk around for a while.
我同学可以一直坐在那里连续学习三四个小时不休息。我可不行。过一个小时我就得吃点零食或溜达一会儿。

I know I'll work better after coming up for some air.
我知道休息一下会让我有更好的工作状态。