Are you looking for some idioms about water?
You are in the right place, we are going to look at __ water idioms that you can use in your everyday conversations to sound more like a native English speaker.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
33 Useful Water Idioms & Phrases (Meaning & Examples)
1. To Be In Deep Water
- Meaning: To be in a situation that is beyond your abilities to resolve; to be in trouble.
- Example In A Sentence: Peter found himself in deep water with the bank when he couldn’t make any more payments.
2. To Blow Something Out Of The Water
- Meaning: To completely ruin something or to defeat someone.
- Example In A Sentence: I wanted to play tennis today, but the weather blew that idea out of the water.
3. To Be Like Oil And Water
- Meaning: to be unable or unwilling to get along with each other due to personality differences etc.
- Example In A Sentence: I wish that my boyfriend got along better with my best friend Sara, but the two of them are like oil and water.
4. To Cast One’s Bread Upon The Water
- Meaning: to do go things without seeking a reward; to be generous.
- Example In A Sentence: He left his well paying job to cast his bread upon the water and take care of his sick father.
5. A Fish Out Of Water
- Meaning: used to describe someone who is uncomfortable in a new situation or environment.
- Example In A Sentence: He felt like a fish out of water at his new school.
6. Can Talk Under Water
- Meaning: (Australian English) someone that is very talkative.
- Example In A Sentence: I say Steve at the party, but I tried to avoid him because he can talk underwater.
7. As A Duck Takes To Water
- Meaning: to naturally be able to do something; to do something easily/smoothly.
- Example In A Sentence: My son took to driving like a duck takes to water.
8. Dead In The Water
- Meaning: unable to move; inoperable
- Example In A Sentence: After meeting with the prime minister it is clear the peace talks are dead in the water.
9. To Dip One’s Toe In The Water
- Meaning: To try a new experience for the first time. Usually done slowly because the person is not sure they will like it or that they will be successful.
- Example In A Sentence: I would like to dip my toes in the water and see how the new product would work in this market.
10. To Have Just One Oar In The Water
- Meaning: To not to be thinking clearly about a given situation.
- Example In A Sentence: I think he is crazy! He only has one oar in the water if he thinks that plan is going to work.
11. To Get One’s Head Above Water
- Meaning: to get out of a stressful situation, usually related to a lot of work.
- Example In A Sentence: There is a ton of paperwork on my desk, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get my head above water.
12. Bubble Water
- Meaning: champagne
- Example In A Sentence: Would you like a beer or would you like to try some bubble water?
13. To Be In Low Water
- Meaning: Having very little money.
- Example In A Sentence: I can’t go to the movies tonight, I am in low water.
14. To Hold Water
- Meaning: to be reasonable, sound or valid, usually when talking about a statement, theory, etc.
- Example In A Sentence: His story about how he lost the car just doesn’t hold water.
15. To Muddy The Waters
- Meaning: to provide information that only makes the situation more confusing.
- Example In A Sentence: Rather than explaining the problem clearly he muddied the waters by bringing in unnecessary information.
16. To Plow Water
- Meaning: To waste one’s time on something.
- Example In A Sentence: You are plowing water if you think you can convince her to come with us.
17. To Pour Cold Water On Something
- Meaning: to discourage someone from doing something.
- Example In A Sentence: The news of the hurricane really pour cold water on our plans to go to the Bahamas.
18. Test The Waters
- Meaning #1: to try something to see if you like it.
- Example In A Sentence: He told me to test the waters first before making a big investment.
- Meaning #2: to get the opinion of others about a product before bringing it to market.
- Example In A Sentence: Before we invest a lot of money in this prototype, let’s test the waters.
19. A Long Drink Of Water
- Meaning: a boring or uninteresting person.
- Example In A Sentence: What did you think of Jessica’s new boyfriend? He sure is a long drink of water. He just sat there all night not saying a thing.
20. To Pour Oil On Troubled Waters
- Meaning: to calm down a tense situation. To calm someone down.
- Example In A Sentence: Tom poured oil on troubled waters before the situation got worse and they said something they would regret.
21. To Be In Unchartered Waters
- Meaning: a situation that could be difficult or dangerous because it is new to you.
- Example In A Sentence: I tried to fix my car but then I realized that I was in unchartered waters and it would be better to have a mechanic look at it.
22. To Be Water Off A Duck’s Back
- Meaning: used to say that one’s words or criticism have no effect on somebody.
- Example In A Sentence: They said some really mean things about his presentation, but it was like water off a duck’s back. It didn’t bother him at all. He knows he did a good job.
23. Blood Is Thicker Than Water
- Meaning: family is more important than any other relationship.
- Example In A Sentence: Don’t be afraid to ask us for help, you are family. Remember blood is thicker than water.
24. To Carry Somone’s Water
- Meaning: to support someone without being critical about it.
- Example In A Sentence: He likes to be around people who will carry his water.
25. Milk And Water
- Meaning: Something that is feeble or weak.
- Example In A Sentence: These ideas are nothing but milk and water, we need to come up with something better.
26. Water Under The Bridge
- Meaning: a prior issue with someone has been resolved and you no longer want to argue about it. It can also mean that so much time has passed that you no longer want to make it an issue.
- Example In A Sentence: I think George is still mad that he wasn’t invited to the wedding, but he says it is water under the bridge.
Additional Reading: 11 Useful Bridge Idioms – Meaning & Examples
27. To Pay The Water Bill
- Meaning: (slang) to go to the bathroom; to urinate.
- Example In A Sentence: Excuse me, but I have to go pay the water bill.
28. To Walk On Water
- Meaning: to do something that is impossible.
- Example In A Sentence: Unless Ryan can walk on water, I don’t think we are going to get this project down in time.
29. To Carry Fire In One Hand And Water In The Other
- Meaning: to deceive someone
- Example In A Sentence: I think Karen carries fire in one hand and water in the other because she says nice things to me, but she talks about me behind my back.
30. Dull As Dishwater
- Meaning: something that is extremely boring.
- Example In A Sentence: She told me the book was a dull as dishwater, but I read it anyway.
31. To Be In Hot Water
- Meaning: to be in trouble.
- Example In A Sentence: He is going to be in hot water when his parents find out that he skipped school today to watch a movie.
32. Watering Hole
- Meaning: (slang) bar
- Example In A Sentence: After work do you want to go to the watering hole and grab a beer?
33. To Throw The Baby Out With The Bathwater
- Meaning: to throw out something valuable with something that is not valuable.
- Example In A Sentence: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. I am sure there is something that we can still save.
There you have it! 33 useful water idioms. Which one is your favorite? Please share your comments in the section below.
