troubled waters
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of troubled waters
First recorded in 1575–85
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.
According to Page Six, Grande and Gomez’s pandemic-era romance entered troubled waters when COVID-19 restrictions loosened up and Gomez was “taken aback” by the pop star’s demanding schedule.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2023
In December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, partly nudged by Russia, spoke of "pouring oil on troubled waters".
From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2023
Through all the ups and downs of the past few weeks, one things hasn’t changed: Britain’s economy is still in troubled waters.
From New York Times ● Oct. 14, 2022
Winfrey reflected on her dad, Vernon Winfrey, as "a bridge over troubled waters."
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2022
“His presence,” Myrta said, “was like oil on troubled waters, as mother often said to him. He was so kind, so gentle and thoughtful that we forgot our cares and worries.”
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
