Pour oil on troubled waters

Meaning

The idiom "pour oil on troubled waters" means to make a situation worse by causing unnecessary drama or chaos. It suggests adding fuel to a fire or pouring more oil onto already turbulent waters, which can only worsen the situation. The phrase is often used to describe someone who is causing trouble or stirring up problems unnecessarily.

Usage

• "The manager's intervention only poured oil on troubled waters and created more tension among the employees."
• "Instead of trying to fix the problem, he poured oil on troubled waters by making things worse."
• "She is known for pouring oil on troubled waters by causing controversy wherever she goes."
• "The new policy caused even more problems and poured oil on troubled waters."
• "The politician's speech was meant to calm the situation, but instead he poured oil on troubled waters by igniting tensions further."

Roots and History

The phrase "pour oil on troubled waters" has been used in English since at least the 16th century. The earliest known use of the idiom can be traced back to John Heywood's "A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Proverbes in the Englishe Tongue" in 1546, where he wrote, "Pouring oil upon troubled water." The phrase comes from a biblical story where Jesus calmed a stormy sea by saying, "Peace, be still," and then commanded his disciples to do the same. However, instead of doing as Jesus instructed, they poured oil on the turbulent waters, which caused more trouble.

Synonyms in English

• Stir up drama or chaos
• Cause unnecessary trouble
• Make a bad situation worse
• Exacerbate problems
• Add fuel to the fire

Synonyms in other languages

• Chiaroscuro - Italian (light and dark)
• Erosion - French (erosion or eroding)
• Geborgenheit - German (serenity or tranquility)
• Harmony - Greek (harmony or agreement)
• Joya de vivir - Spanish (joy of living or joy of life)

Similar Idioms

• the devil is in the detail

• at daggers drawn

• time puts everything in its place