tread water

Idioms and Phrases

Expend effort that maintains one's status but does not make much progress toward a goal, as in He was just treading water from paycheck to paycheck . This idiom alludes to the term's literal meaning, that is, “keep one's head above water by remaining upright and pumping the legs.”

Example Sentences

As the music climaxes, he kisses his friend full on the mouth while they both tread water naked.

From The Daily Beast

He seemed to think that after that boffo first debate, he could just tread water.

From The Daily Beast

Democrats will have no mandate to do much besides tread water for four years.

From The Daily Beast

And Dick had sense enough to take the advice, and tread water quietly till the boat should come.

From Project Gutenberg

He began to tread water while he tried to lift his head and gaze across the waves.

From Project Gutenberg

Margery, seized by a panic, forgot to tread water and went clear to the bottom.

From Project Gutenberg

He was full of life, he understood how to swim, to tread water, to turn over and tumble in the flood.

From Project Gutenberg

When you tread water you force the water down with your hands and feet and so send your body, or keep it, up.

From Project Gutenberg