# pour oil on troubled waters

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.

## Etymology
From the ancient practice of pouring oil on the seawaves in order to calm them.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pour-oil-on-troubled-waters