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Pour Oil on Troubled Waters

To calm down the tense situation, to sooth someone in anger or tension

Etymology:

  • This is an old expression which traces its roots back to 731 A.D .The expression refers to the belief prevalent at that time according to which if you poured oil on stormy waves that rose high when strong and enraged, it would calm them or settle them down. Now the expression refers to pacifying or to calm down any disturbed or tense situation anywhere on land or sea. It could also refer to mollifying an enraged person who seems to get out of control.
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The mother who lost her child had no one to pour oil on her troubled waters.

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Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Pour Oil on Troubled Waters':

pour oil on troubled watersTo calm something or someone who is tenacious or misbehaving.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Pour Oil on Troubled Waters

pour forthpour outpour downpour honey into one's eartest the waterssnake oilpour honey in one's earthe squeaky wheel gets the grease/oilsnake oilstill waters run deepoil trashpour gasoline on the firepour your heart and soulsnake oil

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    "Pour Oil on Troubled Waters." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/pour-oil-on-troubled-waters_44946>.

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