troubled waters

noun (used with a plural verb)

a confused or chaotic state of affairs: The situation was terrible, but like many politicians he was attracted by troubled waters.

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Nearby words

trouble, trouble man, trouble one's head with, trouble someone for, trouble spot, troubled waters, troublemaker, troubleproof, troubleshoot, troubleshooter, troublesome

Origin of troubled waters

First recorded in 1575–85

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019