English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Troubled waters
Meaning
The idiom "troubled waters" refers to a situation or environment that is characterized by difficulty, confusion, turmoil, or disarray. It can also indicate a time when there are conflicts, disagreements, or challenges that need to be resolved. In contemporary language, the phrase is often used metaphorically to describe any complex issue or difficult decision-making process.
Usage
- The company was going through troubled waters with its new CEO, and many employees were uncertain about their future.
- The negotiations between the two sides had hit troubled waters, but they were eventually able to reach an agreement.
- When I visited my friend's family in India, I noticed that the political climate had taken a turn for the worse, with troubled waters ahead.
- My daughter was struggling with her schoolwork and felt overwhelmed by the challenges she faced. We knew we had to navigate these troubled waters together.
- The financial crisis of 2008 marked a turning point in our economy, with many businesses struggling to stay afloat amidst troubled waters.
Roots and History
The earliest known use of the idiom "troubled waters" dates back to the Middle Ages. It was used in conjunction with the phrase "tides and currents," which referred to the fluctuations of the sea and its ability to create calm or rough waters. The metaphorical application of this phrase to describe a difficult or uncertain situation emerged later, and it has since become a commonly used expression in English.
Synonyms in English
- Stormy seas
- Rough seas
- Choppy waters
- Turbulent times
- Unpredictable waters
Synonyms in other languages
- "Les eaux troubles" (French) - Difficult or uncertain water
- "Die Wasser sind stürmisch" (German) - The water is stormy
- "La marina è turbulenta" (Italian) - The sea is turbulent
- "Los aguas son tempestuosas" (Spanish) - The waters are tempestuous
- "Les eaux sont agitées" (French) - The water is agitated