the length of time that somebody lives or that something lasts 一生；终身；有生之年；（某物的）存在期，寿命，使用期限 a lifetime of experience 毕生的经验 - in/during somebody's lifetime
His diary was not published during his lifetime. 他的日记在他生前未曾发表过。 - in the lifetime of something
These spending commitments are not achievable in the lifetime of the present government. 这些开支承诺在本届政府的任期内是完成不了的。 Memories can last a lifetime. 回忆可以持续一生。 He had spent a lifetime trying to please his father. 他花了一生的时间试图取悦他的父亲。 The veteran actor was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. 这位老演员被授予终身成就奖。 He received a lifetime ban from cycling after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. 在一种兴奋剂检测呈阳性后，他被终身禁止骑自行车。
Extra ExamplesAfter a lifetime as a journalist in the trouble spots of the world, he retired to the country. 在世界不安定地区做了一辈子记者之后，他退休到了乡下。 College seems half a lifetime away. 大学好像是上半辈子的事了。 Christmas feels like a lifetime ago. 圣诞节感觉像是一辈子以前的事了。 He devoted a lifetime to working with disabled children. 他毕生致力于帮助残疾儿童。 I've seen many changes during my lifetime. 我一生中经历了许多变革。 It seems a lifetime since we first met. 我们初次见面似乎是上辈子的事了。 It's hard to break the habits of a lifetime. 很难改变一辈子养成的习惯。 Payments are based on expected lifetime income. 根据预期的终身收入来决定付款金额。 She spent a lifetime in politics. 她一生从政。 That’s more money than I’m likely to make in my entire lifetime. 这比我一生可能挣的钱还多。 The images are part of a lifetime's worth of photographs from Cohen's long career. 那些图像是科恩漫长摄影生涯中倾注毕生心血的作品的一部份。 The veteran director won a lifetime achievement award. 这位资深导演获得了终身成就奖。 This watch should last you a lifetime. 这块表你能用一辈子。 You can live a whole lifetime and not witness such an event. 你有可能一辈子都没机会亲历这样的事件。 wisdom gained in the course of a long lifetime 在漫长的一生中获得的智慧 He has nothing to look forward to but a lifetime of misery. 他的生活没有任何盼头，只有无尽的痛苦。 Only two volumes of his poetry were published during his lifetime. 他生前只出版了两本诗集。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- long
- short
- entire
- …
- devote
- spend
- take (somebody)
- …
- achievement
- appointment
- employment
- …
- after a lifetime
- during somebody’s lifetime
- in your lifetime
- …
- the habits of a lifetime
- a legend in your own lifetime
- half a lifetime
- …
Idioms
the chance, etc. of a lifetime
a wonderful opportunity, etc. that you are not likely to get again 终身难得的机遇；千载难逢的机会 When she was offered the job she knew it was the chance of a lifetime. 当她得到这份工作时，她知道这是千载难逢的机会。 the trip/experience/opportunity of a lifetime 一生中的旅行/经历/机会
Extra ExamplesIt was the holiday of a lifetime! 这是一生中最快乐的假期！ She gave the performance of a lifetime. 她进行了一次难得的表演。 For the chance of a lifetime fill in the coupon below and send it to the following address. 这个机会千载难逢，请填写下面的参赛表格并邮寄至下述地址。
once in a lifetime