1wa·ter 
/ˈwɑ:tɚ/ noun
plural wa·ters /ˈwɑ:tɚ/ noun 1 [noncount] : the clear liquid that has no color, taste, or smell, that falls from clouds as rain, that forms streams, lakes, and seas, and that is used for drinking, washing, etc.
▪ Would you like a glass of water? ▪ bottled/mineral/spring water ▪ There's water dripping from the ceiling. ▪ Drink some water. ▪ drinking water [=water that is safe for drinking] ▪ The house has hot and cold running water. [=water carried by pipes inside a building] — see also bathwater, freshwater, groundwater, holy water, ice water, mineral water, rainwater, rose water, saltwater, seawater, soda water, tap water, toilet water, white water 2 [noncount] : an area of water (such as a lake, river, or ocean)
▪ deep/shallow water ▪ The kids love playing in the water. ▪ A stick was floating on/in the water. ▪ They like to vacation near the water. — see also underwater 3 waters [plural] : a specific area of water ; especially : an area of seawater
▪ frigid northern waters ▪ coastal/shallow waters ▪ We are sailing in international waters. ▪ They were fishing in Canadian waters. — often used figuratively ▪ We are entering into dangerous waters [=a difficult or complicated situation] whenever we discuss religion in public. ▪ He began studying the murky waters [=confusing details] of copyright law. ▪ The company is moving into uncharted waters [=new and unknown areas] with its Internet marketing campaign. — see also headwaters, territorial waters 4 [noncount] : methods of travel that involve boats and ships
▪ They came by water. [=by traveling on a boat or ship]
▪ Would you like a glass of water? ▪ bottled/mineral/spring water ▪ There's water dripping from the ceiling. ▪ Drink some water. ▪ drinking water [=water that is safe for drinking] ▪ The house has hot and cold running water. [=water carried by pipes inside a building] — see also bathwater, freshwater, groundwater, holy water, ice water, mineral water, rainwater, rose water, saltwater, seawater, soda water, tap water, toilet water, white water
▪ deep/shallow water ▪ The kids love playing in the water. ▪ A stick was floating on/in the water. ▪ They like to vacation near the water. — see also underwater
▪ frigid northern waters ▪ coastal/shallow waters ▪ We are sailing in international waters. ▪ They were fishing in Canadian waters. — often used figuratively ▪ We are entering into dangerous waters [=a difficult or complicated situation] whenever we discuss religion in public. ▪ He began studying the murky waters [=confusing details] of copyright law. ▪ The company is moving into uncharted waters [=new and unknown areas] with its Internet marketing campaign. — see also headwaters, territorial waters
▪ They came by water. [=by traveling on a boat or ship]
a fish out of water — see 1fish
blood is thicker than water — see blood
come hell or high water — see hell
dead in the water — see 1dead
hold water
informal : to be possible or believable — usually used in negative statements ▪ Her argument doesn't hold water. [=does not make sense] ▪ His theory cannot hold water. [=his theory is wrong]
in deep water — see 1deep
keep your head above water — see 1head
like a duck to water — see 1duck
like water
informal : in large amounts
▪ He spends money like water.
▪ He spends money like water.
muddy the waters — see 2muddy
pass water
medical : to send urine out of the body : urinate
▪ a patient who is finding it difficult to pass water
▪ a patient who is finding it difficult to pass water
pour/throw cold water on
: to say that you do not like (an idea, suggestion, etc.) in a way that stops other people from doing it or from feeling enthusiastic about it
▪ He wanted to buy a new car, but I poured/threw cold water on that idea. [=I said he should not buy a new car]
▪ He wanted to buy a new car, but I poured/threw cold water on that idea. [=I said he should not buy a new car]
still waters run deep — see 2still
test the waters/water — see 2test
tread water — see 1tread
troubled waters — see troubled
water breaks (US) or Brit waters break
— used to describe what happens when fluid suddenly comes from a pregnant woman's body because her baby will be born soon ▪ Her water broke early.
water off a duck's back
informal ◊If something, such as criticism, advice, etc., is (like) water off a duck's back, it has no effect on someone.
▪ He tried to convince her to take the job, but his advice was like water off a duck's back. [=she completely ignored his advice]
▪ He tried to convince her to take the job, but his advice was like water off a duck's back. [=she completely ignored his advice]
water under the bridge
— used to say that something happened in the past and is no longer important or worth arguing about ▪ We had our differences in the past, but that's all water under the bridge now.
