Don't Find Yourself 'In Hot Water'

 

Now, the VOA Learning¹ English program Words and Their Stories.

On this program we talk about common expressions in the English language and we explain how to use them. And today we talk about something we’ve all experienced² -- getting into trouble.

But why just say you are in trouble when you can use a more descriptive “water” expression!?

When you are in hot water you are in deep trouble. I mean, you have really made a mess of things.

The expression to be in hot water was used more than 500 years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says that the meaning comes from the custom of throwing boiling water down on enemies attacking a castle.

Of course, that is no longer the custom. But we still use the expression “in hot water.”

Okay. So, when we are in hot water, we are in trouble. And that trouble can be serious or not so serious.

A person who breaks the law can be in hot water with the police. But a small girl can also be in hot water with her parents for eating her birthday cake before her party starts.

People play mahjong as they sit in water at a water park on a hot day in Chongqing, China August 2, 2017.

Now, let’s say you look online to find words that mean about the same thing as “to be in hot water.” You might come across words like bind³ or jam or even a much more formal choice -- predicament.

However, be careful when using them as synonyms⁵ for being “in hot water.” When we are in hot water it is because of something we did wrong.

The bind, jam, predicament in which you find yourself may be your fault. But it may not be your fault. The difficulties might have been caused by things beyond your control.

For example, I could say that I’m in a bind at work. My boss wants me to work on Saturday but I’ve already made plans. I’m in a difficult situation, but I didn’t do anything wrong.

Or maybe your friend found himself in a jam while traveling. He was stranded⁶ in a foreign country after someone stole his wallet and passport.

Being in hot water is almost the same as being in deep water. When you are in deep water, you are in a difficult situation. You are facing a problem that you do not have the ability to solve. The problem is too deep for you. You can be in deep water, for example, if you invest⁷ in stocks⁹ without knowing anything about the stock⁸ market.

You may also hear people say troubled waters. However, we use that expression more in songs and poetry than we do in everyday speaking.

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down …

Now, let’s hear how these friends use some of these expressions.

Hey did you hear about Sally?

No. What?

She called in sick yesterday but then the boss saw her at a concert dancing with friends.

Oh, that’s not good.

No, it’s not. She was already in hot water with her boss because of a big report she messed up.

I wonder what’s going to happen to her.

Well, she was in a similar predicament last month and was somehow able to talk her way out of it. But this time … I don’t know.

You know, now that you mention it … Sally is the type of person who is always getting herself out of some kind of jam. Sometimes it’s her fault. Sometimes it’s not. But it’s still a jam.

If she loses her job she might find herself in really deep water.

Why?

Well, she told me that she just bought a new apartment and her money is very tight right now.

Money troubles are the worst! That’s why I always try to have a little extra in the bank. Hopefully that means I won’t find myself in a bind over money.

Good thinking.

When your troubles are boiling over consult this recipe …

We will end our show today with a little advice: If you find yourself in hot, deep or even troubled waters, don’t forget you can always ask for help.

Until next time … I’m Anna Matteo.

When you’re up to your neck in hot water

be like a kettle and sing ...

Words in This Story

bind – n. a difficult situation

jam – n. a difficult situation or state of affairs

formal – adj. suitable for a proper occasion¹⁰

predicament – n. a difficult or unpleasant situation

synonym⁴ – n.one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses

fault – n. responsibility for a problem, mistake, bad situation, etc.

stranded – v. to leave in a strange or an unfavorable place especially without funds¹¹ or means to depart¹²

troubled waters – idiomatic¹³ expression a difficult or confusing situation

concert – n. a public performance (as of music or dancing)

tight – adj. relatively difficult to obtain money is tight just now

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 experienced   

adj.有经验的；经验丰富的，熟练的

参考例句：

• Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather.有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
• Perhaps you and I had better change over;you are more experienced.也许我们的工作还是对换一下好，你比我更有经验。

3 bind   

vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬

参考例句：

• I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you.我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
• He wants a shirt that does not bind him.他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。

4 synonym   

n.同义词，换喻词

参考例句：

• Zhuge Liang is a synonym for wisdom in folklore.诸葛亮在民间传说中成了智慧的代名词。
• The term 'industrial democracy' is often used as a synonym for worker participation. “工业民主”这个词常被用作“工人参与”的同义词。

5 synonyms   

同义词( synonym的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• If you want to grasp English, you must carefully discriminate synonyms. 如果你想掌握好英语，你必须仔细区分同义词。
• Study the idioms and synonyms l wrote down before your test. 学考试前我给你写的习惯用语和同义字。

6 stranded   

a.搁浅的，进退两难的

参考例句：

• He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里， 身无分文，一筹莫展。
• I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市，既没有钱，又没有朋友。

7 invest   

v.投资；投入(时间等)；授予，赋予

参考例句：

• I have decided to invest in a new car.我已经决定买一辆新汽车。
• The best time to invest is now.现在是投资的最佳时机。

8 stock   

n.存货，储备；树干；血统；股份；家畜；adj.存货的；平凡的，惯用的；股票的；畜牧的；vt.进货，采购；储存；供给；vi.出新芽；进货

参考例句：

• The shop takes stock every week on Friday mornings.这家商店每星期五早晨盘点存货。
• Experts have forecast an upturn in the stock market.专家已预测股票市场价格有上升趋势。

9 stocks   

n.（树木等的）干( stock的名词复数 )；公债；家系；家族

参考例句：

• The manager wants to clear off the old stocks in the warehouse. 经理想把仓库里积压的存货处理掉。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They want to unload the stocks on the market. 他们想把股票在市场上抛售掉。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 occasion   

n.场合，时机，机会，诱因，理由；vt.惹起，引起

参考例句：

• Her dress was too showy for such a formal occasion.在如此正式的场合，她的服装过分华丽了。
• Her tears were fought back on such an occasion.在这种场合下她忍住了眼泪。

11 funds   

n.pl.资金

参考例句：

• He absconded with the company funds. 他卷走公司的资金潜逃了。
• They held a harambee meeting to raise funds for a new classroom. 他们为筹款建新教室而办了个募捐会。

12 depart   

v.离开，启程

参考例句：

• The train will depart at 7:30 a.m.早七点半发车。
• Before you depart,let me give you a word of advice.在你走之前，我给你一句忠告。

13 idiomatic   

adj.成语的，符合语言习惯的

参考例句：

• In our reading we should always be alert for idiomatic expressions.我们在阅读过程中应经常注意惯用法。
• In his lecture,he bore down on the importance of idiomatic usage in a language.他在演讲中着重强调了语言中习惯用法的重要性。