phrases about water

Water down

To dilute, weaken

“The speechwriters were told to water down the president's speech because it was too bold.”

A fish out of water

A person who is uncomfortable in a new or different situation

“Takenaga-san, an accountant, said she felt like a fish out of water when she attended the design team's meeting.”

Uncharted waters

Be in a situation that no one has been in before

“It is hard to forecast sales because it is the first product of its kind in the world; we are really in uncharted waters.”

Keep one's head above water

To survive, to keep from drowning

“Ando-san said he is barely keeping his head above water as a freelance TV reporter.”

In hot water

In big trouble

“Our advertising department is going to be in hot water when the president finds out that we spent the entire annual budget by June 1st.”