"Because there are only a couple of previous records of eruption at this particular volcano, it is difficult to judge either how long the activity will go on there, or how long the volcano might then be dormant before it goes active again."

VOA: standard.2010.04.15

You may take on a long-term project and then die before you've been able to complete it; or alternatively, you may peak too soon and then continue to stick around in an anti-climactic way.

你可能承担了一个长期的项目,然后在你能完成之前就死了，或者，你可能太快达到人生高峰,然后继续在平淡中徘徊。

耶鲁公开课 - 死亡课程节选