This results in alternating periods of quiescence and activity - remarkably like the build-up and collapse of a sand pile.

这会导致变换的静止和活动的周期-与沙堆的堆砌和崩塌非常相像。

youdao

Such a family resembles a house built on sand, likely to collapse at any moment.

这家庭有如一栋以沙为根基的房子，随时会倒塌。

youdao

They could see the grass-thatched shed lift and collapse, while a froth of foam cleared the crest of the sand and ran down to the lagoon.

他们瞧见那棚屋的草顶往上一掀，坍塌下来，一道溅着白沫的波浪越过沙堤，流进湖内。

youdao

Whether from natural catastrophes, economic collapse or the slow encroachments of sand or water, it seems likely that at least some of today's cities will meet the same fate as Ozymandias, the king of kings who built a monument to himself.

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