Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pour oil on troubled waters

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.61 in modern English

Syllables: pour oil on trou-bled wa-ters
IPA

31

Scrabble Score

23

Letters

3

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.

Example Sentences

"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."
"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."

Etymology

From the ancient practice of pouring oil on the seawaves in order to calm them.

Inflected Forms

pours oil on troubled waters (present, singular) pouring oil on troubled waters (participle, present) poured oil on troubled waters (participle, past) poured oil on troubled waters (past)

Phrases

clear the air

Frequently Paired Words

clear the air

Synonyms

cast oil on troubled waters

Antonyms

add fuel to the fire

Questions

What does pour oil on troubled waters mean?: To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.
Where does pour oil on troubled waters come from?: From the ancient practice of pouring oil on the seawaves in order to calm them.

How to pronounce pour oil on troubled waters

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