分秒必争 seize every second
Explanation
形容时间紧迫，必须充分利用每一分每一秒。
Describes the urgency of time and the need to make the most of every second.
Origin Story
话说古代有一位名叫李白的书生，从小就勤奋好学，立志要考取功名，光宗耀祖。他深知时间宝贵，时刻提醒自己“分秒必争”。每天天不亮就起床读书，晚上挑灯夜战，废寝忘食，就连吃饭的时间也尽量压缩，恨不得把一天掰成两天用。有一年春天，李白为了准备科考，他更加努力，每天学习到深夜，甚至通宵达旦。他把所有的零碎时间都利用起来，走路时默背诗词，吃饭时思考策论，就连上厕所也拿着书看。功夫不负有心人，经过长时间的努力，李白终于考取了功名，实现了梦想。他常常告诫后人，要珍惜时间，分秒必争，才能取得成功。
It is said that in ancient times there was a scholar named Li Bai who, from a young age, was diligent and studious, determined to pass the imperial examinations and bring glory to his ancestors. He knew that time is precious and constantly reminded himself to "seize every second." Every day, he got up before dawn to read, and at night, he worked hard until late at night, neglecting sleep and food, and even trying to compress his meal times, as if he wanted to turn one day into two. One spring, in order to prepare for the imperial examinations, he worked even harder, studying until late into the night, even all night long. He utilized all his spare time, memorizing poems while walking, thinking about strategies while eating, and even reading books while using the toilet. His hard work paid off, and after a long period of effort, Li Bai finally passed the imperial examinations and realized his dreams. He often cautioned his descendants to cherish time and seize every second in order to achieve success.
Usage
用于强调时间紧迫，必须充分利用时间。
Used to emphasize the urgency of time and the need to make full use of it.
Examples
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面对高考，我们必须分秒必争，争取考出好成绩。
miàn duì gāokǎo, wǒmen bìxū fēn miǎo bì zhēng, zhēngqǔ kǎo chū hǎo chéngjī.
In the face of the college entrance examination, we must seize every second to strive for good results.
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创业初期，分秒必争，才能抓住稍纵即逝的机会。
chuàngyè chūqī, fēn miǎo bì zhēng, cáinéng zhuā zhù shāo zòng jì shì de jīhuì.
In the early days of entrepreneurship, we must seize every second to seize fleeting opportunities.