______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Learn more English in a Minute
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Do you hate it when people pour cold water on your ideas, or is it like water off a duck's back? There are a few phrases in English using the word 'water'. Learn some of them here with Phil.
Phrases with 'water'
a fish out of water
someone who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment
- I took Mum to a heavy metal concert last night – she was like a fish out of water.
test the water
find out what people think of something before you do it
- I've got an idea for the new company logo, but I want to test the water before I bring it up at the meeting.
pour cold water on
be negative and discouraging about
- I keep coming up with ideas and you keep pouring cold water on them. Why don't you think of something for a change?!
like water off a duck's back
used to refer to an insult or criticism that does not bother someone
- I've told him that he needs to stop being rude to the customers, but he doesn't listen – it's like water off a duck's back.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Download a free transcript!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Phil
Let's learn four phrases with 'water'.
A fish out of water is someone who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation.
I always feel like such a fish out of water at parties. I hate them.
Testing the water is when you try to find out what people think of something before you do it.
I think you need to test the water before suggesting this plan. I'm not sure people will like it.
If people don't like your idea, they might pour cold water on it – be negative about it.
It's only ever my plans you pour cold water on. I don't think you're being fair.
An insult or criticism that doesn't bother you is like water off a duck's back – it just runs off.
They had harsh words for him, but he's used to much worse, so it was like water off a duck's back.
I don't need to test the water – I know these phrases are great. Learn them now!
Next
Do you drink enough water? Learn about this topic in this episode of 6 Minute English.
Find our latest programmes here.
最新 English in a Minute Series 5
Phrases with 'money'
Episode 260224 / 24 Feb 2026
Money doesn't grow on trees, so it's lucky this lesson is free!
Phrases with 'hand'
Episode 260210 / 10 Feb 2026
What does it mean when something gets 'out of hand'?
Phrases with 'eye'
Episode 260203 / 02 Feb 2026
Don’t turn a blind eye to these phrases – learn them here!
Phrases with 'cards'
Episode 260120 / 20 Jan 2026
Knowledge of more phrases is on the cards if you watch this video
Phrases with 'bone'
Episode 251202 / 02 Dec 2025
You'll love these phrases – I can feel it in my bones!
Phrases with 'cake'
Episode 251125 / 25 Nov 2025
Learning English is a piece of cake with BBC Learning English!
Phrases with 'wind'
Episode 251111 / 11 Nov 2025
It's time to throw caution to the wind and learn some phrases to use with 'wind'.
Phrases with 'pull'
Episode 251021 / 21 Oct 2025
Pull out all the stops and learn four phrases with 'pull' here.
Phrases with 'look'
Episode 250930 / 30 Sep 2025
Look the part with these four expressions with 'look'
Phrases with 'hit'
Episode 250916 / 16 Sep 2025
Learn these phrases this week to hit the ground running next week!
Phrases with 'fire'
Episode 250805 / 05 Aug 2025
Learn these phrases, and you'll be on fire in your English conversations!
Phrases with 'stone'
Episode 250715 / 15 Jul 2025
Leave no stone unturned when it comes to your English study!
Phrases with 'blue'
Episode 250708 / 11 Jul 2025
How many 'blue' phrases do you know? Learn three more here.
Phrases with 'ice'
Episode 250701 / 11 Jul 2025
Don't put your learning on ice – learn these phrases with 'ice' today!
