tread water

== English == === Verb === tread water (third-person singular simple present treads water, present participle treading water, simple past (common in US) treaded water or (more common in UK) trod water, past participle (common in US) treaded water or (more common in UK) trod water or (more common in UK) trodden water) To remain afloat in the water without use of any buoyancy aid, by using kicking motions and hand motions. Near-synonym: keep one's head above water (figuratively) To make no progress, expending effort just enough to maintain a stable position. Near-synonym: keep one's head above water ==== Usage notes ==== The strongly inflected UK forms were commonly used in US newspapers in the nineteenth century, but rarely thereafter. Not to be confused with walk on water. ==== Translations ====