pour oil on troubled waters

present singular third person pours oil on troubled waters · participle present pouring oil on troubled waters · participle past poured oil on troubled waters · past poured oil on troubled waters

1. idiomaticTo calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.

   I remember him taking umbrage when he thought I was doubting his grandmother's skills so I am quick to pour oil on troubled waters.

   2013, Jane Cable, The Cheesemaker's House, page 95

   1 more example

   Tom Street deemed it his duty to pour oil upon the troubled waters, being, as it were, officially responsible for the welfare of the chowder-plates and tobacco-pipes which were hired for the occasion.

   1885, Beverley Ellison Warner, a Troubled Waters: A Problem of To-day, page 40

   Synonyms: cast oil on troubled waters · Antonyms: add fuel to the fire