1ADV [usually ADVERB after verb, oft v-link ADV, n ADVERB]漂浮着 If someone or something is afloat, they remain partly above the surface of water and do not sink. 漂浮着
They talked modestly of their valiant efforts to keep the tanker afloat.
他们说起自己设法使油轮漂浮的英勇之举时非常谦虚。
Three hours is a long time to try to stay afloat in these conditions.
在这样的条件下漂浮3个小时是够久的。
2ADV [usually ADVERB after verb, oft v-link ADV, n ADVERB]不欠债地;周转顺畅地 If a person, business, or country stays afloat or is kept afloat, they have just enough money to pay their debts and continue operating. 不欠债地;周转顺畅地 [business]
A number of efforts were being made to keep the company afloat.
正采取各种措施来维持公司的正常资金周转。
They are borrowing just to stay afloat, not for investment.