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.
Whatever move they make next, Venkatesham and Lange have navigated Spurs into troubled waters and must now find a way out.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
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
The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, finds itself navigating troubled waters.
From New York Times • Jan. 14, 2023
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.
