The closest living analogue might be a sponge.

现存的最接近的类似物或许是海绵。

youdao

The firm used to be a sponge to soak up surplus east Indian Labour.

该公司过去是吸收东印度多余劳动力的一块海绵。

youdao

If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass.

如有人说起你的是非，千万别当一块“海绵”，让那些攻击性的说话像水在玻璃上一般的流走。

youdao

Be a Sponge and a Stone.

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Best of all, 99 percent of the hydrocarbons absorbed were able to be recovered, meaning the sponge could be redeployed up to ten times without a drop in performance.

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The result is, in effect, a liquid sponge, and means the mixture can be stored indefinitely, like ordinary diesel, without risk of separation.

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