life·time /ˈlaɪftaɪm/ ●●○ noun [countableC usually singular]
1LIFEthe period of time during which someone is alive or something exists 一生,终生;生存期 → lifespan
during/in somebody’s lifetime
During her lifetime she had witnessed two world wars.
她一生亲历了两次世界大战。
It’s the sort of opportunity you see only once in a lifetime.
这种机会你一辈子也只能碰到一次。
2the chance/experience etc of a lifetimeBESTthe best opportunity, experience etc that you will ever have 千载难逢[终生难得]的机会/经历等
It was the holiday of a lifetime.
这样的假期终生难得。
Examples from the Corpus
the chance/experience etc of a lifetime• There is also the chance of a lifetime for the talentedteams who win through to the final.• We are offering the experience of a lifetime, and it seems to appeal to people from all over the world.• Jim assured him that hearing me sing was the experience of a lifetime, but Dad wasn't having that.• This was the chance of a lifetime.
3not in this lifetimespoken not at all 这辈子是不会了SYN never
‘Would you go out with him after he dropped you?’ ‘Not in this lifetime.’
“他甩了你之后你还会和他约会吗?” “这辈子是不会了。
Examples from the Corpus
lifetime• Would it continue to fascinate for a lifetime?• The NationalMedal of Artsaward is meant to honor a lifetime of achievement.• Grief following any death can last a lifetime.• A good tool should last a lifetime.• The government had argued that the originalmilitary recruiters didn't have the authority to offer lifetimehealthcare.• In our lifetime, ordinary people will travel to the moon.• All of Callinicos' philosophical sophistication and matchless political experience evaporate in the face of the art of his own lifetime.• During Dickinson's lifetime, only a few of her works were actually published.• He suffered a lot of pain in his short lifetime.• Few women have been so worshipped and detested in their lifetime and by posterity.• Create something that you love in your lifetime.• Good looks can last your lifetime!
once in a lifetime• The Olympics is a once in a lifetimeopportunity.• Such opportunities are once in a lifetime.• A beautiful, once in a lifetimewaltz, choreographed by the rock.• This kind of thing happens once in a lifetime.• The forked road which every star, perhaps every person, faces at least once in a lifetimelaydead ahead.• The rules are most useful on formaloccasions like weddings, and particularly when they happen only once in a lifetime.