troubled waters

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a confused or chaotic state of affairs.

   The situation was terrible, but like many politicians he was attracted by troubled waters.

Word History and Origins

Origin of troubled waters¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

In March 2025, he said his Milan show aimed to pour oil on the troubled waters of global politics.

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But the nation still faces — and hasn’t yet fallen over — the precipice between troubled waters and full-on crisis, they said.

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“Troubled waters are slamming against some of our most fundamental principles,” he said.

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“The economy is in troubled waters.”

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It’s also a Biden noticeably advancing in age, experiencing some salient political weakness as an octogenarian trying to steer the country through troubled waters.

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