pour oil on troubled waters en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From the ancient practice of pouring oil on the seawaves in order to calm them.
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.
I remember him taking umbrage when he thought I was doubting his grandmother's skills so I am quick to pour oil on troubled waters.
2013, Jane Cable, The Cheesemaker's House, page 95:Tom Street deemed it his duty to pour oil upon the troubled waters, being, as it were, officially responsible for the welfare of the chowder-plates and tobacco-pipes which were hired for the occasion.
1885, Beverley Ellison Warner, a Troubled Waters: A Problem of To-day, page 40:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| pours oil on troubled waters | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| poured oil on troubled waters | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| poured oil on troubled waters | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| pouring oil on troubled waters | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Antonyms
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (6)
es templar gaitas (calm, appease or quieten) · fr calmer le jeu (calm, appease or quieten) · fi valaa öljyä laineille (calm, appease or quieten) · pl łagodzić (calm, appease or quieten) · de die Wogen glätten (calm, appease or quieten) · es apaciguar los ánimos (calm, appease or quieten)