Water Idioms

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you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink

Meaning: we can offer good things to people but we can't force them to accept that

Example: I have tried my level best to educate him well, but he is still having a non-serious behavior, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Read more ➺


troubled waters

Meaning: a difficult phase of life

Example: The situation was getting worse, but like all the other members of the company, he was fascinated by troubled waters. Read more ➺


dead in the water

Meaning: unable to produce movement

Example: Their company is trying to revive an income that is dead in the water. Read more ➺


head above water

Meaning: to succeed to survive in bad financial situations

Example: I have to work 60 hours a week just to keep my head above water. I don't know how people do it. Read more ➺


throw the baby out with the bathwater

Meaning: to remove something good in the bid of getting rid of something bad

Example: Janet quitting her job because her ex started working there is a classic example of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Read more ➺


still waters run deep

Meaning: to have passion or furore underneath a calm expression

Example: Though he rarely speaks in class, still waters run deep. Read more ➺


come hell or high water

Meaning: come what may

Example: I want to complete this report by today, come hell or high water. Read more ➺


blood is thicker than water

Meaning: family relations and bonds are closer than other relationships

Example: When you get into trouble, usually your family will be the ones to bail you out, not your friends. After all, blood is thicker than water. Read more ➺


a drowning man will clutch at a straw

Meaning: It refers to the desperate measures that someone in need may make in order to come out of the situation.

Example: Although there was no possibility of success he tried his hand at this interview to get a job because a downing man will even clutch at a straw. Read more ➺


water under the bridge

Meaning: past events that are not important anymore

Example: We used to have big disagreements some years back, but that's all water under the bridge now. We get along fine. Read more ➺


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