down a rathole

泡汤

(pàotānɡ)

A: My project has been rejected. 

我的提案被否决了。

(wǒ de tí'àn bèi fǒujué le.)

B: But you've worked on it for ages!

可你已经在这上面花了好长时间了!

(kě nǐ yǐjīnɡ zài zhè shànɡmiàn huā le hǎo chánɡ shíjiān le.)

A: That's weeks of efforts down a rathole.

几周的努力就这样泡汤了。 

(jǐzhōu de nǔlì jiù zhèyànɡ pàotānɡ le.)

B: Cheer up! There's always a second chance.

振作点！机会还会有的。

(zhènzuòdiǎn！jīhuì háihuì yǒu de.)