杯水车薪的英文：
[Literal Meaning]
cup/water/cart/firewood.
to try to extinguish a cartload of firewood on fire with one cup of water

[解释]
力量太小，解决不了很大的问题。

[Explanation]
an utterly inadequate method in dealing with a severe problem .

[例子]
对于像印度洋海啸这样一场大灾难，一个国家的援助只能是杯水车薪，我们需要全世界的帮助。

[Example]
As to a huge disaster like the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, assistance from a single country is like to try to extinguish a cartload of firewood on fire with one cup of water and we need help from all over the world.

参考例句：
  • an utterly inadequate measure;Trying to put out a burning cartload of faggots with a cup of water
    杯水车薪
  • This was thin gruel for Sadat
    这对于萨达特来说是杯水车薪。
  • Considering the losses in the disaster area, our support was an utterly inadequate measure.
    比起灾区的损失,我们的支援不过杯水车薪。
  • The few packages of food seemed a mockery in the face of such enormous destitution.
    对于众多赤贫的人们，这几袋食物简直是杯水车薪

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