Definition
To be left to succeed or fail by one's own efforts without any assistance.
指在沒有任何幫助的情況下，完全依靠自己的努力來決定成敗。
Start-ups often have limited resources, and employees must find their own way to solve problems; it's like they are left to 'sink or swim'.
新創公司通常資源有限，員工必須自己想辦法解決問題；就像他們被放任『自生自滅』一樣。
In a rigorous training environment, trainees are required to 'sink or swim' to learn and adapt quickly.
在嚴格的訓練環境中，受訓者需要『自生自滅』，以快速學習和適應。
I was thrown into a brand new work environment with no guidance; I had to 'sink or swim'.
我被扔進一個全新的工作環境，沒有任何指導；我必須『自生自滅』。