（单调乏味的工作）

那些单调乏味的工作，或者是苦力活儿都可以被称为 donkey work.

【例句】

1. I am tired of doing the donkey work while my workmates get all the fun and creative tasks.

2. If you want a promotion, you have to do a lot of donkey work first.

请注意：短语 donkey's years 意思是很长的一段时间，这是一个非正式表达。

1. I've been living in this house for donkey's years.

【小常识】

Taking a 'donkey ride' at the seaside is a popular activity in Britain. But it can hard work for donkeys. A set of guidelines by The Donkey Sanctuary and the British Equine Veterinary Association says donkeys shouldn't carry people heavier than 50 kg; they must have at least one day off a week and an hour's rest at lunchtime or early evening.

在英国海边的度假胜地，骑驴是一项受欢迎的活动。不过对驴来说这可是很辛苦的工作。驴子保护协会和英国马兽医协会发表的一套指导方针中指出，驴不应该承载超过50公斤重的人体，它们每周应放一天假，而且每天中午或傍晚应有一小时的休息。