tread water
US /trɛd ˈwɔtɚ/
・UK /tred ˈwɔ:tə/
A1
v.i.Intransitive VerbTo stay in an upright position in the water by moving your arms and legs.
I had to tread water for an hour waiting for the rescue boat.
v.i.Intransitive VerbTo be in a situation where you make no progress.
The project is just treading water; we need new ideas to move forward.
Video subtitles
How Americans Are Paying For Vacation
- They're just kind of trying to tread water and they're not even doing that.
They're just kind of trying to tread water and they're not even doing that.
- They're just kind of trying to tread water, and they're not even doing that.
They're just kind of trying to tread water, and they're not even doing that.
Andy Burnham Wins Election In Threat to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer | Daybreak Europe 6/19/2026
- Stocks tread water, with markets including the US closed for holidays.
Stocks tread water, with markets including the US closed for holidays.
- Stocks tread water with markets, including the US, closed for holidays.
Stocks tread water with markets, including the US, closed for holidays.
5 Fascinating Facts About Rats
- Rats can get lost in the pipes and tread water for days, seeking a way out.
Rats can get lost in the pipes and tread water for days, seeking a way out.