A notch is a tally-mark for counting something. It is also a step or level ("moved up a notch" etc.). E.g., putting a notch in one's gun refers to recording another victory with the gun (another man shot down or killed, generally) according to Wild West folklore.
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step it up a notch 按字面意思是 「刻度增加一級」，用白話說就是 「加把勁」、「更努力」，把表現提升到更突出。
Are you ready to step it up a notch?
你準備好提昇自己，更加努力了嗎？
這句話的中文意思，可以依照上下文來做更好的翻譯，但意思是不變的，就是讓自己更努力、表現更好，更有競爭力。
2013-03-12 21:11:49 補充：
再某些情境，可以譯為「更上一層樓」，不過不是指更成功的「更上一層樓」，而是指更挑戰的「更上一層樓」。
2013-03-12 21:50:10 補充：
美國文化用鼓勵代替罵人，所以這類鼓舞的短語幾乎無所不在。這些是讓人鼓舞人追求成功的話：
Think big!
立大志！
You can do it!
If you believe you can’t, then you never will.
Can’t is NOT a word.
Failure is one step closer to success.
There is always an answer.
Your thoughts can become things.
Keep on keeping on.
堅持再堅持
2013-03-12 21:50:38 補充：
Make an impact, make a difference.
發揮影響力、改造一切
Leaders are not born, they are made.
Losers are winners in the making.
失敗為成功之母
2013-03-12 21:51:15 補充：
這些是像 hang in there，鼓勵嘗試、別放棄的話：
Just a little harder.
Stick with it.
Stay at it.
Go for it.
去拼！
Give it a shot.
做做看！
Give it your best.
It’s now or never.
Take no prisoners!
絕不妥協！
Knock yourself out!
拼到死！
A notch is a tally-mark for counting something. It is also a step or level ("moved up a notch" etc.). E.g., putting a notch in one's gun refers to recording another victory with the gun (another man shot down or killed, generally) according to Wild West folklore.
2013-03-11 11:25:32 補充：
"Are you ready to step it up a notch?"
你準備好要再締造佳績了嗎?