Phrases. Above water = unembarrassed, untroubled, in (or of) easy circumstances, mind, or the like: whence TO keep one's head above water = to struggle through (or overcome) financial difficulties; between WIND AND WATER (see WIND); IN deep water = (1) in trial, trouble, distress; (2) impecunious, reduced in circumstances: hence deep waters = tribulation of sorts; OF THE FIRST WATER = the highest, A1: properly of a diamond free of blemish, flaw, colour, or any imperfection; to MAKE A HOLE IN THE WATER = to fall in it: spec. to commit suicide by drowning: cf. 'to make a hole in the silence' = to speak; OIL ON TROUBLED waters = anything to allay, assuage: the practice is ancient, being known to the Greeks and Romans, and its efficacy is frequently tested by modern seamen; TO BE IN HOT WATER = to be in trouble, difficulties, or disgrace; TO show water = to bribe, to produce a fee; to cast one's WATER (see verb. 2); TO CAST WATER INTO THE THAMES = to do the unnecessary or useless (see Thames); to hold water = to prove serviceable or adequate; TO take water = to back out (or down), to weaken (q.v.): as a boat when allowed to fall in the wake of another in a race; TO DRAW WATER WITH A SIEVE = to act absurdly; to throw cold water ON = to discourage, damp one's ardour, interest, or chances; water IN one's shoes = a cause of annoyance or discomfort; TO water one's plants = to shed tears. Also proverbially: 'My mouth waters' = a simile of strong appetite or longing desire: also said of the teeth; 'That's where the water sticks' = That's the point in dispute; 'All water runs to his mill' = 'Fortune smiles on him,' 'Everything goes his way'; 'No safe wading in an unknown water'; 'Often to the water, often to the tatter'; 'Foul water will quench fire'; 'Where the water is shallow no vessel will ride'; 'Water breeds frogs in the belly, and wine cures the worms'; ' I'll make him water his horse at Highgate' (i.e. 'I'll sue him and make him take a journey up to London'—Ray); 'The malt's above the water' = He's drunk (see Screwed).
1530. Palsgrave, Lang. Francoyse. My tethe waters to see.
1546. Heywood, Proverbs, 69. It is to give him (quoth I) as much almes or neede As cast water in Tems, or as good a deede As it is to helpe a dogge over a stile.
1555. Peter Martyr [Eden, First Books on America (Arber), 181]. In theyr mindes they conceaued a hope of a dainty banquet, And espying their enemies a farre of beganne to swalowe theyr spettle as their mouthes watered for gredines of theyr pray.
1581. Lyly, Euphues, 'To Philuntus,' M4. Neither water thou thy plants, in that thou departest from thy pigges nie, neither stand in a mammering, whether it bee best to depart or not.
1609. Shakspeare, Pericles, iv. 2. A Spaniard's mouth so watered.
1611. Bible, Authorised Version, Psalm lxix. 14. Let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the DEEP WATERS.
1623. Mabbe, Guzman (1630), ii. 79. [It] WILL NOT HOLD WATER.
1632. Massinger, Maid of Honour, i. 1. F. If you've a suit, shew water, I am blind else. A. A suit; yet of a nature not to prove The quarry that you hawk for. . . . One poor syllable Cannot deserve a fee.
