idioms using “water”

Tread water

To make no progress, to not move forward

“She has been treading water for the last two years in what was supposed to be a three-month assignment. ”

Keep one’s head above water

To survive (usually financially), to keep up with one’s work

“Our goal is to just keep our heads above water until the economy turns around.”

Water under the bridge

Something negative that happened but is long forgotten

“We were big rivals 20 years ago but that is all water under the bridge now.”

In hot water

In trouble

“If Takeya-san doesn’t turn in his expense report, he is going to be in hot water.”

Like a fish out of water

To be uncomfortable in a particular situation

“Yoneda-san says she feels like a fish out of water in Tokyo because she lived her entire life in Australia.”