The phrase “to pour oil on troubled water” means to calm a difficult or tense situation, to smooth over conflict, or to reduce anger or anxiety. The expression uses the metaphor of oil calming rough water—when poured on water, oil helps to reduce agitation and settle things down. It’s often used when someone attempts to ease tension between others or prevent further escalation of a conflict. In Indonesian, a similar expression would be “meredakan ketegangan” or “menenangkan suasana”, which both refer to calming down a stressful or contentious situation.
Synonyms:
- Calm the situation
- Mediate
- Settle the conflict
- Smooth things over
- Ease tensions
- Pacify
- Make peace
- Reconcile
- Mend fences
- Quell the unrest
Example Sentences:
- The manager tried to pour oil on troubled waters by offering a solution that satisfied both sides.
- She spoke gently to pour oil on troubled waters, preventing an argument from escalating.
- During the heated debate, he stepped in to pour oil on troubled waters and find common ground.
- When the team started arguing, the coach quickly stepped in to pour oil on troubled waters.
- He tried to pour oil on troubled waters after the argument by suggesting a compromise.
- The diplomat’s visit helped to pour oil on troubled waters and prevent further conflict.
- Her calm demeanor helped pour oil on troubled waters during the tense meeting.
- To avoid further conflict, he tried to pour oil on troubled waters by offering an apology.
- In difficult times, leaders often need to pour oil on troubled waters to keep everyone united.
- The teacher poured oil on troubled waters when the students began to argue during class.
Related Words:
- Peacekeeping
- Mediation
- Diplomacy
- Compromise
- Reconciliation
- Tension
- Dispute
- Calmness
- Conciliation
- Amelioration
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- Calm down (make someone less angry or upset)
- Smooth over (resolve a disagreement or problem)
- Patch things up (repair a relationship after a conflict)
- Make peace (end a conflict or hostility)
- Break the ice (reduce tension in a conversation or situation)
- Mend fences (repair a relationship or resolve conflict)
- Work things out (find a solution or compromise to resolve a disagreement)
- Clear the air (resolve misunderstandings or tension)
- Put out fires (deal with problems or conflicts as they arise)
- Settle down (calm down or relax after a period of tension)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Bury the hatchet (to make peace after an argument)
- Fight fire with fire (respond to an attack or conflict with equal force, though often used ironically)
- Let sleeping dogs lie (avoid stirring up trouble or conflicts that have already been settled)
- Cross the bridge when you come to it (deal with a problem only when it arises)
- Take the heat off (redirect attention away from someone or something)
- Lay down the law (set clear rules or boundaries to resolve conflict)
- Water under the bridge (something that happened in the past that’s no longer important)
- Break the deadlock (resolve a standstill in negotiations or conflict)
- Put the ball in someone’s court (allow someone to make a decision in a situation)
- In the same boat (in a similar situation, especially when dealing with a problem)
“To pour oil on troubled water” is a useful expression when you want to describe the act of calming down a situation or preventing a conflict from escalating. It’s a strategy that requires patience, diplomacy, and a steady hand, often from someone in a position of authority or influence.