pour oil on troubled waters

== English == === Etymology === From the ancient practice of pouring oil on the seawaves in order to calm them. === Pronunciation === === Verb === pour oil on troubled waters (third-person singular simple present pours oil on troubled waters, present participle pouring oil on troubled waters, simple past and past participle poured oil on troubled waters) (idiomatic) To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation. Synonym: cast oil on troubled waters Antonym: add fuel to the fire ==== Translations ==== === See also ===