Entry 1
A fish out of water
Meaning Someone in an unfamiliar circumstance.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- He’s a fine golfer but in this dance competition he’s a fish out of water.
Pronunciation
Idioms · 8 entries
Water
What does "Water" mean?
Someone in an unfamiliar circumstance.
A fish out of water
The United Kingdom - 17th century.
Adam’s ale
The United Kingdom, 17th century.
Big fish in a small pond
USA, late 19th century.
Blood is thicker than water
Britain. Probably coined by Sir Walter Scott, 1815.
Come hell or high water
USA, late 19th century.
Little fish in a big pond
USA, early 20th century.
Water under the bridge
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink
Britain, 12th century. One of the oldest proverbs in the English language
Entry 2
Adam’s ale
Meaning A reference to water - often used to emphasize the purity of water compared to other drinks.
Usage Worldwide, but most common in the UK.
Example
- I didn’t want a beer when I finished the marathon - Adam’s ale was all I needed.
Pronunciation
Entry 3
Big fish in a small pond
Meaning An important person but only so within a small area of influence.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Alison is the queen of the post room. She's a big fish in a small pond though - no one in the rest of the company knows who she is.
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Blood is thicker than water
Meaning Family loyalties are stronger than those to other people.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- It was just me and his son in the job interview. I had no chance, blood is thicker than water you know.
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Come hell or high water
Meaning Despite any great difficult or obstacle.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- I'm going to get to Cornwall by nightfall, come hell or high water.
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Little fish in a big pond
Meaning Someone considered unimportant compared to their more significant peers.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Jimmy's first school only had seven pupils and he was the star, but when he got to high-school he was a little fish in a big pond.
Pronunciation
Entry 7
Water under the bridge
Meaning A past experience that you prefer not to affect your current life.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Losing my wife and my job was difficult at the time but I've moved on. Its all water under the bridge now.
Pronunciation
Entry 8
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
Meaning You can encourage someone to to do something but, in the end, what they do is their own choice.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- I bought her a car; I even paid for the driving lessons, but she still travels everywhere by bus.
Pronunciation