fish in troubled waters

Idioms  

1. Try to take advantage of a confused situation. For example, He often buys up stock in companies declaring bankruptcy; fishing in troubled waters generally pays off. This term, first recorded in 1568, expresses the even older notion that fish bite more readily when seas are rough.

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Example Sentences

"As we're four days before the end of the campaign, someone is trying to take advantage and fish in troubled waters to see what comes out," he said.

From BBC

"Someone is trying to take advantage and fish in troubled waters to see what comes out," he said.

From BBC

Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minster, said: “Egypt did not occupy the two islands, but entered them on a Saudi request. History and documents of both countries have not shown any disagreement on the Saudi identity of both islands. But some are trying to fish in troubled waters.”

From The Guardian

Never fish in troubled waters.

From Project Gutenberg

Always to fish in troubled waters," replied Count Bismarck, with the reckless candour peculiar to him; "but if he is now urging us to war, I don't think the fishing will be lucky for him.

From Project Gutenberg