Phrase guide

pour oil on troubled waters

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cast oil on troubled waters

Antonyms: add fuel to the fire

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: valaa öljyä laineille — calm, appease or quieten
  • French: calmer le jeu — calm, appease or quieten
  • German: die Wogen glätten — calm, appease or quieten
  • Polish: łagodzić — calm, appease or quieten
  • Spanish: templar gaitas — calm, appease or quieten
  • Spanish: apaciguar los ánimos — calm, appease or quieten