Definition
To make no progress or improvement; to be in a situation that is not advancing.
原地踏步；停滞不前
Despite their many efforts, the company still seems to be treading water.
尽管他们付出了许多努力，公司似乎仍然在原地踏步。
In academic research, if you don't have new ideas, you will soon feel like you are treading water.
在学术研究中，如果你没有新的想法，很快就会感觉自己在原地踏步。
He felt that he was not growing in his current job and was treading water every day.
他觉得自己在目前的工作中没有成长，每天都在原地踏步。