tumultuous waters

USAGE SUMMARY

"tumultuous waters" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as a metaphor to describe something chaotic or confusing, for example, "The tumultuous waters of the stock market have been hard to navigate this past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

An actor by training, Mr. Lewis can sense when someone needs a sympathetic ear "and someone to hold your hand to help navigate what can be tumultuous waters".

The New York Times

"It's chaotic, but people are relieved that we survived these tumultuous waters," said Richard McGrath, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party.

The New York Times

With Intel set to spin off its security unit into a reincarnation of McAfee, attention is quickly turning to Chris Young, the guy tasked with steering the security ship through tumultuous waters and back toward relative independence.

TechCrunch

Think of it as yet another force helping them navigate the tricky and tumultuous waters that take them into adulthood.

Huffington Post

For your ark to be able to float in the tumultuous waters of a world-destroying flood, it will need to be of very sturdy construction.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" — an epic farrago of tumultuous water, digital battle, and environmentalist rage (think of Al Gore glaring at the apocalypse) — is the craziest big movie in years.

The New Yorker

Darren Aronofsky's "Noah"—an epic farrago of tumultuous water, digital battle, and environmentalist rage (think of Al Gore glaring at the apocalypse)—is the craziest big movie in years.

The New Yorker

This unusual spy thriller has neither page-turning… Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" — an epic farrago of tumultuous water, digital battle, and environmentalist rage (think of Al Gore glaring at the apocalypse) — is the craziest big movie… The Affordable Care Act, President Obama's perpetually beleaguered health-care initiative, received a jolt of good news last week.

The New Yorker

There are moments in his movies — in fact, there are entire… Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" — an epic farrago of tumultuous water, digital battle, and environmentalist rage (think of Al Gore glaring at the apocalypse) — is the craziest big movie… Tall, awkward, and heavily shod, Vivian Maier was a nanny.

The New Yorker

Strong wind gusts along the coast created large, choppy seas, prompting the National Weather Service in L.A. to advise only the most experienced mariners to attempt to operate vessels in the tumultuous water.

Los Angeles Times

They can help you navigate tumultuous political waters, provide you with insight on a regular basis that can inform the ways you work and think, and even change the minds of your toughest critics.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tumultuous waters" when you want to convey a sense of chaos, instability, and difficulty in navigating a situation. It's particularly effective when describing abstract challenges or periods of significant change.

Common error

Avoid using "tumultuous waters" to describe actual bodies of water unless you're deliberately employing a metaphorical comparison. Stick to literal descriptions for real-world scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tumultuous waters" primarily functions as a metaphorical noun phrase. It is used to describe a situation or period characterized by chaos, instability, and difficulty. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in describing abstract challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tumultuous waters" is a vivid metaphor used to describe chaotic and challenging situations. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct, effectively conveying instability and difficulty. It appears most frequently in News & Media, with some usage in Wiki and Academic contexts. While not as common as simpler alternatives, "tumultuous waters" adds depth and color to descriptions of abstract challenges. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants a metaphorical comparison and avoid literal applications to actual bodies of water. Remember that while semantically related to phrases like "turbulent times" or "difficult circumstances", the core metaphorical strength lies in the image of powerful, chaotic waves and alludes to instability and unpredictability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stormy period

Uses a similar water-related metaphor to describe a difficult time.

turbulent times

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the chaos, emphasizing the difficulty of the period.

testing times

Emphasizes the challenging and demanding nature of the situation.

chaotic situation

Highlights the disorganization and lack of order in the circumstances.

difficult circumstances

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation, downplaying the chaotic aspect.

volatile climate

Highlights the instability and unpredictability of the situation, suitable for describing economic or political contexts.

perilous state

Focuses on the risk and danger involved in the current condition.

treacherous conditions

Focuses on the hidden dangers and difficulties present.

unsettled environment

Highlights the lack of stability and predictability.

rough patch

An informal way of describing a difficult situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "tumultuous waters" to describe a chaotic or challenging situation, such as "The company navigated the "tumultuous waters" of the market crash" or "The project faced "tumultuous waters" due to unforeseen setbacks".

What are some alternatives to "tumultuous waters"?

Alternatives to "tumultuous waters" include "turbulent times", "chaotic situation", or "difficult circumstances" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "tumultuous waters" in formal writing?

Yes, "tumultuous waters" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when used metaphorically to describe challenging situations. However, consider your audience and the specific tone you want to set. In some contexts, a more direct alternative might be preferable.

What does it mean to navigate "tumultuous waters"?

To navigate "tumultuous waters" means to steer through a chaotic or difficult situation, facing challenges and uncertainties along the way. It implies the need for careful planning, adaptability, and resilience.