These phrases may not involve literal water, but they are soaked with meanings that can ripple through our understanding. So, let’s not be all wet and get started!
What is an idiom for water?
An idiom is a phrase that doesn’t mean what it says literally. Instead, it has a figurative meaning that might not be immediately apparent.
These expressions often carry cultural or historical significance, making them an interesting aspect of language. Now, let’s wade into the meanings of some idioms for water.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| In deep water | In a difficult or troublesome situation | After forgetting his homework for the third time, Tim found himself in deep water with his teacher. |
| Blood is thicker than water | Family relationships are more important than other relationships | Jane chose to spend the weekend with her siblings, proving that blood is thicker than water. |
| Water under the bridge | Past events that are no longer relevant or important | Sarah apologized for the argument, explaining that it was all water under the bridge now. |
| Hold water | To be valid or reasonable | The detective scrutinized the alibi to see if it would hold water during the investigation. |
| Throw cold water on | To discourage or dampen enthusiasm | The coach didn’t want to throw cold water on the team’s excitement but reminded them of the challenges ahead. |
| Fish out of water | Feeling uncomfortable or out of place | At the new school, Tom felt like a fish out of water until he made some friends. |
| Keep your head above water | To manage a difficult situation without failing | Despite facing financial difficulties, they managed to keep their heads above water. |
| Pour cold water on | To discourage or criticize an idea | Instead of supporting the proposal, the team decided to pour cold water on it, citing potential risks. |
| Test the waters | To cautiously try something out before fully committing | Before investing all his savings, Mark decided to test the waters by starting a small business. |
| Cry over spilled milk | To lament a past mistake or loss that cannot be undone | There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s focus on finding a solution. |
| In hot water | In trouble or facing difficulties | After breaking the vase, Mary knew she was in hot water with her mom. |
| Muddy the waters | To make a situation more confusing or complex | Adding too many details might muddy the waters during the presentation. |
| Like a fish in water | Being comfortable and skilled in a particular situation | With his new job, Sarah felt like a fish in water, using her expertise effortlessly. |
| Come hell or high water | Determined to do something no matter the obstacles | Joe was determined to finish the project, come hell or high water. |
| Fish or cut bait | To make a decision and take action | It was time for the team to either fish or cut bait and finalize the project plan. |
| A drop in the ocean | A very small amount compared to a much larger issue | Donating one dollar felt like a drop in the ocean when addressing the global poverty problem. |
| Water off a duck’s back | Something that doesn’t affect or bother someone | Despite the criticism, her confident attitude was like water off a duck’s back. |
| Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink | Surrounded by something but unable to benefit from it | The library was filled with books, but with no interest in reading, it was like water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink. |
| Still waters run deep | Quiet or calm individuals often have profound thoughts or emotions | Though reserved, Emily proved that still waters run deep when she shared her insightful perspective. |
| Water the plants | Attend to routine and mundane tasks | As part of his daily routine, Tom takes a few minutes to water the plants in his apartment. |
| Blood in the water | A sign of weakness or vulnerability that others exploit | The opposing team saw the confusion as blood in the water and intensified their attacks. |
| Fish for compliments | Seek or attempt to receive praise | Instead of simply saying thank you, Jane always fishes for compliments after receiving a compliment. |
| In deep hot water | In serious trouble or facing severe consequences | Max realized he was in deep hot water after the prank went horribly wrong. |
| Blow hot and cold | To be inconsistent or indecisive | Sarah could never rely on Tom’s support as he tended to blow hot and cold on various issues. |
| Hold someone’s feet to the fire | To pressure or force someone to take responsibility | The manager decided to hold the employee’s feet to the fire to ensure the project’s timely completion. |
| Throw in the towel | To give up or surrender | After a series of defeats, the team decided to throw in the towel and accept their losses. |
| Like a duck to water | To adapt quickly and naturally to a new situation | Starting a new job, Sarah took to her responsibilities like a duck to water, impressing her colleagues. |
Metaphors can help us see water in different ways, like comparing it to the lifeblood of the earth’s ecosystem. To explore more metaphors for water, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Water. Similarly, similes provide comparisons that make water more relatable, such as saying it’s as clear as crystal. Discover additional similes for water here: Similes for Water.
Idioms for Water
1. In deep water
Meaning: In a difficult or troublesome situation.
In a Sentence: After forgetting his homework for the third time, Tim found himself in deep water with his teacher.
2. Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family relationships are more important than other relationships.
In a Sentence: Jane chose to spend the weekend with her siblings, proving that blood is thicker than water.
3. Water under the bridge
Meaning: Past events that are no longer relevant or important.
In a Sentence: Sarah apologized for the argument, explaining that it was all water under the bridge now.
4. Hold water
Meaning: To be valid or reasonable.
In a Sentence: The detective scrutinized the alibi to see if it would hold water during the investigation.
5. Throw cold water on
Meaning: To discourage or dampen enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: The coach didn’t want to throw cold water on the team’s excitement but reminded them of the challenges ahead.
6. Fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
In a Sentence: At the new school, Tom felt like a fish out of water until he made some friends.
7. Keep your head above water
Meaning: To manage a difficult situation without failing.
In a Sentence: Despite facing financial difficulties, they managed to keep their heads above water.
8. Pour cold water on
Meaning: To discourage or criticize an idea.
In a Sentence: Instead of supporting the proposal, the team decided to pour cold water on it, citing potential risks.
9. Test the waters
Meaning: To cautiously try something out before fully committing.
In a Sentence: Before investing all his savings, Mark decided to test the waters by starting a small business.
10. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To lament a past mistake or loss that cannot be undone.
In a Sentence: There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s focus on finding a solution.
11. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble or facing difficulties.
In a Sentence: After breaking the vase, Mary knew she was in hot water with her mom.
12. Muddy the waters
Meaning: To make a situation more confusing or complex.
In a Sentence: Adding too many details might muddy the waters during the presentation.
13. Like a fish in water
Meaning: Being comfortable and skilled in a particular situation.
In a Sentence: With his new job, Sarah felt like a fish in water, using her expertise effortlessly.
14. Come hell or high water
Meaning: Determined to do something no matter the obstacles.
In a Sentence: Joe was determined to finish the project, come hell or high water.
15. Fish or cut bait
Meaning: To make a decision and take action.
In a Sentence: It was time for the team to either fish or cut bait and finalize the project plan.
16. A drop in the ocean
Meaning: A very small amount compared to a much larger issue.
In a Sentence: Donating one dollar felt like a drop in the ocean when addressing the global poverty problem.
17. Water off a duck’s back
Meaning: Something that doesn’t affect or bother someone.
In a Sentence: Despite the criticism, her confident attitude was like water off a duck’s back.
18. Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink
Meaning: Surrounded by something but unable to benefit from it.
In a Sentence: The library was filled with books, but with no interest in reading, it was like water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.
19. Still waters run deep
Meaning: Quiet or calm individuals often have profound thoughts or emotions.
In a Sentence: Though reserved, Emily proved that still waters run deep when she shared her insightful perspective.
20. Water the plants
Meaning: Attend to routine and mundane tasks.
In a Sentence: As part of his daily routine, Tom takes a few minutes to water the plants in his apartment.
21. Blood in the water
Meaning: A sign of weakness or vulnerability that others exploit.
In a Sentence: The opposing team saw the confusion as blood in the water and intensified their attacks.
22. Fish for compliments
Meaning: Seek or attempt to receive praise.
In a Sentence: Instead of simply saying thank you, Jane always fishes for compliments after receiving a compliment.
23. In deep hot water
Meaning: In serious trouble or facing severe consequences.
In a Sentence: Max realized he was in deep hot water after the prank went horribly wrong.
24. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: To be inconsistent or indecisive.
In a Sentence: Sarah could never rely on Tom’s support as he tended to blow hot and cold on various issues.
25. Hold someone’s feet to the fire
Meaning: To pressure or force someone to take responsibility.
In a Sentence: The manager decided to hold the employee’s feet to the fire to ensure the project’s timely completion.
26. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or surrender.
In a Sentence: After a series of defeats, the team decided to throw in the towel and accept their losses.
27. Like a duck to water
Meaning: To adapt quickly and naturally to a new situation.
In a Sentence: Starting a new job, Sarah took to her responsibilities like a duck to water, impressing her colleagues.
10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article
Quiz 1:
Question: What does the idiom “In deep water” mean?
- a) Swimming in a pool
- b) In a difficult or troublesome situation
- c) Enjoying a relaxing bath
- d) Looking for lost items in the ocean
Answer: b) In a difficult or troublesome situation
Quiz 2:
Question: Which idiom suggests that family relationships are more important than other relationships?
- a) Water under the bridge
- b) Blood is thicker than water
- c) Hold water
- d) Throw cold water on
Answer: b) Blood is thicker than water
Quiz 3:
Question: What does the expression “Fish out of water” convey?
- a) Being an expert swimmer
- b) Feeling uncomfortable or out of place
- c) Exploring marine life
- d) Fishing for compliments
Answer: b) Feeling uncomfortable or out of place
Quiz 4:
Question: When something is said to “Hold water,” what does it mean?
- a) To carry a container of water
- b) To be valid or reasonable
- c) To prevent water from leaking
- d) To pour cold water on an idea
Answer: b) To be valid or reasonable
Quiz 5:
Question: Which idiom implies discouraging or dampening enthusiasm?
- a) Keep your head above water
- b) Test the waters
- c) Throw cold water on
- d) Cry over spilled milk
Answer: c) Throw cold water on
Quiz 6:
Question: If someone is described as “Like a fish in water,” what does it mean?
- a) Being uncomfortable and out of place
- b) Being comfortable and skilled in a particular situation
- c) Literally swimming like a fish
- d) Fishing for compliments
Answer: b) Being comfortable and skilled in a particular situation
Quiz 7:
Question: What does the idiom “Water off a duck’s back” indicate?
- a) Water dripping from a duck’s feathers
- b) Something that bothers someone
- c) Something that doesn’t affect or bother someone
- d) A duck enjoying rain
Answer: c) Something that doesn’t affect or bother someone
Quiz 8:
Question: If a situation is described as “Muddy the waters,” what does it mean?
- a) Clearing up a situation
- b) Making a situation more confusing or complex
- c) Cleaning a water source
- d) Testing the waters
Answer: b) Making a situation more confusing or complex
Quiz 9:
Question: Which idiom means to give up or surrender?
- a) In hot water
- b) Throw in the towel
- c) Water the plants
- d) Fish or cut bait
Answer: b) Throw in the towel
Quiz 10:
Question: What does the expression “Still waters run deep” suggest?
- a) Calm individuals often have profound thoughts or emotions
- b) Active individuals are always profound
- c) Deep waters are always calm
- d) Loud individuals have deep thoughts
Answer: a) Calm individuals often have profound thoughts or emotions
Conclusion
Navigating the sea of idioms can be tricky, but understanding these expressions allows us to dive into the depths of language. So, the next time you hear someone talking about being in hot water or testing the waters, you’ll know they’re not just discussing a swimming pool.
