[If you] work, then work [to the fullest].

[GeneD]

There is one Russian expression I have trouble to translate in English. It's "гулять так гулять" meaning that if you have fun, you should do it to the fullest, often irrationally and not considering the consequences. We don't only use it with "fun", but, actually, with anything. "If you work, work to the fullest" could be said as well. The irrational aspect is the key one, and the whole expression holds the positive connotation. Is there anything similar in English? What could be said to express the idea in English?

And there are only three words when we express the idea in Russian, two of which (the 1st and 3d) are, in fact, one. [If you] work, then work [to the fullest]. Is it possible to express the idea in English shorter? The shorter the better.

 

[probus]

We sometimes say:

Work hard, play hard.

 

[GeneD]

Thanks, Probus. What do you mean by "play" when you use the expression. Does it mean "rest" hard, or something else?

 

[emsr2d2]

"Play" in that context means just about anything you do that isn't work. However, it's unlikely to mean "rest" or "sleep". It means actual activities - socialising, partying, exercising etc.

 

[probus]

There is an excellent old aphorism: Work consists of what one is obliged to do. Play consists of what one is not obliged to do.