walk on water en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From the miracle of Jesus walking on water, described in the Gospels.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic, in hypothetical constructions) To perform godlike or superhuman feats.
He may be rich and influential, but he can't walk on water.
Oh, I've walked on water, run through fire / Can't seem to feel it anymore
1979, “New Dawn Fades”, in Ian Curtis (lyrics), Unknown Pleasures, performed by Joy Division:Six years ago, McCormack was walking on water as the cop who cracked the Quaker case.
2022, Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic, page 29:After the day I had today, I feel like I could walk on water.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see walk, water.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| walked on water | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| walked on water | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| walks on water | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| walking on water | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |