tread water

Idioms  

1. 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.”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tread water

Stellar corporate earnings and forecasts for next year have helped stocks tread water even though valuations have dropped.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

A safe self-rescue includes being able to tread water for 30 seconds, children being able to float on their back for 60 seconds and swim 15m to exit the water unaided.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

If needed, tread water and call for help.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

Until a definitive end to the conflict emerges, Bitcoin is likely to tread water.

From Barron's ● Apr. 15, 2026

When I came to the place where the willows arched over a deep pool in the swift-running brook, I paused to tread water.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

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