tread water Definition

tread
verb trod, trodden, trod, treading

intr
1. To put a foot or feet on it; to walk or step on it.

Example: trod on the cat's tail
Thesaurus: walk, pace, stride, tramp, hike, march, plod, trudge.
Form: tread on something (usually)
2. To step or walk on, over or along.

Example: trod the primrose path
3. To crush or press (into the ground, etc) with a foot or feet; to trample.

Example: treading ash into the carpet
4. To wear or form (a path, hole, etc) by walking.
5. To perform by walking.
intr
6. To suppress them; to treat them cruelly.

Form: tread on someone (usually)
7. Said of a male bird: to copulate with (a female bird).

noun

1. A manner, style or sound of walking.
2. An act of treading.
3. The horizontal part of a stair where someone puts their foot. Compare riser.
4. A mark made by treading; a footprint or track.
5a. The thick, grooved and patterned surface of a tyre that grips the road and disperses rain water;
5b. The depth of this surface. See also retread.
6a. The part of a wheel that comes into contact with a rail, the ground, etc;
6b. The part of a rail that comes into contact with the wheels.
7. The part of a shoe's sole that touches the ground.

Derivative: treader
noun

Derivative: treading
noun

Idiom: tread on delicate ground (tread on dangerous ground, tread on thin ice)

To be or come perilously close to making a blunder, offending someone, etc.

Idiom: tread on air

To be or feel exhilarated.

Idiom: tread on someone's toes

To encroach on their sphere of influence, etc.

To offend them.

Idiom: tread the boards

To go on the stage; to act.

Idiom: tread water

To keep oneself afloat and upright in water by making a treading movement with the legs and a circular movement with the hands and arms.

To hold back from making a decision, taking progressive action, etc, usually temporarily.
Example: The company will have to tread water until sales improve

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon tredan.

Phrasal Verb: tread something down

To press it down firmly with the foot or feet.

Phrasal Verb: tread in something

To put a foot in it.

Phrasal Verb: tread something in

To grind, press or trample it (into the ground, floor, carpet, etc).

---

water
noun

1. (formula H₂O) a colourless odourless tasteless liquid that freezes to form ice at 0°C and boils to form steam at 100°C, at normal atmospheric pressure.
2. An expanse of this, with varying degrees of impurity; a sea, lake or river, etc.

Form: waters (also)
3. The surface of a body of water.
4. The sea round a country's coasts, considered part of its territory.

Example: in British waters
Form: waters
5. The level or state of the tide, as in high tide and low tide.
6. A solution of a specified substance in water.

Example: rosewater
7. Water at a spa, etc, containing minerals and generally considered good for one's health.

Form: the waters
8a. physiol.
Any of several fluids secreted by the body, especially urine, sweat, tears, etc;
8b. physiol.
Saliva.
9. Any liquid that resembles or contains water, eg rain.
10. A dose of water given to a plant or animal.
11. The amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus in the womb.

Form: waters
12. A wavy sheen effect on fabric, especially silk or satin.
13. The degree of brilliance and transparency of a diamond.
14. Quality or class; excellence. See of the first or finest water below.
15. finance.
An increase in a company's stock issue without an increase in assets to back it up.

verb watered, watering

1. To wet, soak or sprinkle something with water.

Thesaurus: moisten, dampen, soak, douse, drench, hose, irrigate.
2. To irrigate (land).
3. To dilute (wine, etc).
intr
4. Said of the mouth: to produce saliva in response to a stimulus activated by the expectation of food.
intr
5. Said of the eyes: to fill with tears in response to irritation.
tr & intr
6. To let (animals) drink; said of animals: to drink.

Example: fed and watered
7. To wet (plants) with water.
8. To give a wavy appearance to the surface of (fabric), by wetting and pressing.

Example: watered silk
9. finance.
To increase (the debt of a company) by issuing new stock without a corresponding increase in assets.

Derivative: waterer
noun

Derivative: waterless
adj

Derivative: watery

See separate entry.

Idiom: by water

By water transport, eg ship.

Idiom: hold water

Said of an explanation, etc: to prove sound; to be valid.
Thesaurus: bear scrutiny, convince, make sense, pass the test, ring true, wash, work.

Idiom: in deep water

In trouble, danger or difficulty.

Idiom: keep one's head above water

To remain out of difficulty or trouble.

Idiom: like a fish out of water

Ill at ease; uncomfortable in a particular environment.

Idiom: like water

colloq
In large quantities; freely or lavishly.

Idiom: like water off a duck's back

Said of a rebuke or scolding, etc: having no effect at all; making no impression.

Idiom: make someone's mouth water

To make their saliva flow; to stimulate their appetite for something.

Idiom: of the first water (of the finest water)

Being of the highest class; first-class or prize.

Idiom: pass water

To urinate.

Idiom: pour oil on troubled waters

To take measures to calm a turbulent situation.

Idiom: still waters run deep

A calm and quiet exterior often conceals strong emotions, obstinacy or cunning, etc.

Idiom: test the water (test the waters)

To test for a response to an intended course of action.

Idiom: throw cold water on something (throw cold water over something)

colloq
To be discouraging or unenthusiastic about (an idea, etc).

Idiom: tread water

See under tread.

Idiom: under water

Beneath the surface of the water.

Idiom: water under the bridge

Experiences that are past and done with.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon wæter.

Phrasal Verb: water something down

To dilute or thin it with water.
Example: to water down the wine
To reduce the impact of it; to make it less controversial or offensive. See also watered-down.