troubled waters

Definitions

1. 1

   Difficulties, chaos, tribulations, or other confusing and problematic aspects of a…

   Difficulties, chaos, tribulations, or other confusing and problematic aspects of a situation.

   • Not only were the troubled waters in the Middle East, they had spilled over into Australia.
   • The tide that was rushing in to pull them both out to troubled waters was stopped at the edge of the shore by the ringing of the telephone.
   • I will observe the 'troubled waters' of such a programme and try to reveal how the actors involved steer the course of the research process.
2. 2

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see troubled, water.; water that is stirred up with high waves, chaotic currents, etc., and therefore difficult to navigate.

   • In the Perseus and Andromeda series we go again in the Dragon country, through troubled waters, where the waves foam round picturesque rock on which we do not fear to slip, wearing Mercury's sandals.
   • All around the ship, troubled waters bumped against it in warning.

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