fish in troubled waters

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Soviets, Weinberger said on Face the Nation, "have a huge presence in Syria, and they love to fish in troubled waters."

From Time Magazine Archive

Meanwhile, I was becoming convinced that the Soviets were seeking to fish in troubled waters.

From Time Magazine Archive

If Roderick chose to fish in troubled waters, he must land his prizes himself.

From Roderick Hudson by James, Henry

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 For Sceptre and Crown, Vol. I (of II) A Romance of the Present Time by Meding, Johann Ferdinand Martin Oskar

The absurdly small minority consisted mostly of Americanized camp-following traders, who, having come to fish in troubled waters, naturally wanted the laws made to suit poachers.

From The Father of British Canada: a Chronicle of Carleton by Wood, William Charles Henry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023