troubled waters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "troubled waters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is difficult, chaotic, or fraught with problems, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The company is navigating through troubled waters after the recent scandal, and it will take time to regain public trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stormy weather, troubled waters.

The Guardian - Film

The total entity is entering troubled waters.

The New York Times

The American government pressed President Diem to calm troubled waters.

The New York Times

It is not what Sunderland need as they plot an unsteady ship through troubled waters.

Independent

The World Cup is not the only major sporting event where oil has brought troubled waters.

Independent

If you're in "don't fence me in" mode, travel and sneaky downtime calm troubled waters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Montgomery can be brilliant at stirring up stagnant ponds, but does he know how to smooth troubled waters?

The Guardian

Even the negotiating teams that will take part in the talks have signaled troubled waters ahead, analysts said.

The New York Times

We've all got to learn how to become more buoyant when troubled waters come.

Huffington Post

Men's Health recommends its readers to "use magic phrases" to calm troubled waters.

Huffington Post

It presents President Obama as an occasional foil, the Chicago politician who navigated troubled waters and somehow emerged untainted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "troubled waters", ensure the context is clear and the metaphor aligns with the intended meaning. It's most effective when describing challenging or unstable situations affecting groups or organizations.

Common error

Avoid using "troubled waters" to describe minor inconveniences or personal feelings. The phrase is best reserved for situations with significant, widespread impact.

Linguistic Context

Figurative language: "Troubled waters" functions as a metaphor, representing a period or situation marked by difficulties, uncertainty, or instability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "troubled waters" is a commonly used and grammatically correct idiom that serves as a metaphor for difficult or unstable situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent appearance in news and media indicates its widespread acceptance and understanding. When writing, it's important to ensure the metaphor aligns with the intended meaning and avoids trivializing significant challenges. Consider alternatives like ""difficult times"" or ""adverse circumstances"" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stormy period

Uses a meteorological metaphor to indicate a time of difficulty, similar to "troubled waters".

difficult times

Focuses on the temporal aspect of hardship rather than the metaphorical sense of being overwhelmed.

testing times

Highlights the challenging and demanding nature of the period.

hardship

Emphasizes the condition of suffering or privation.

adverse circumstances

Highlights the unfavorable nature of the situation.

difficult situation

A general term for any challenging or problematic scenario.

unstable situation

Focuses on the lack of stability and predictability.

rough patch

Suggests a temporary period of difficulty.

crisis

Implies a more acute and urgent situation.

turmoil

Conveys a sense of internal or external unrest and disturbance.

FAQs

How can I use "troubled waters" in a sentence?

You can use "troubled waters" to describe difficult or unstable situations, such as "The company is navigating "troubled waters" due to the economic downturn".

What is an alternative phrase for "troubled waters"?

Alternatives include "difficult times", "hardship", or "adverse circumstances", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "troubled water" instead of "troubled waters"?

While "troubled water" might be grammatically correct in certain contexts (e.g., describing polluted water), "troubled waters" is the idiomatic expression used to describe challenging or unstable situations.

What does it mean to 'fish in troubled waters'?

To "fish in "troubled waters"" means to try to gain an advantage from a situation in which other people are having problems.