tread water

Verb

Meaning

To remain afloat in the water without use of any buoyancy aid, by using kicking motions and hand motions.

(figuratively) To make no progress, expending effort just enough to maintain a stable position.

Synonyms

Examples

So many actors are lively-minded, creative people who just tread water in this awful way, waiting for the phone to ring and doing their hair for auditions. It feels like a bit of a dreamer's life - as opposed to a sensible ventriloquist's life. Nina Conti

How long can you tread water? Source: Internet

However the latter began to tread water approaching the two furlong marker and dropped out of contention. Source: Internet

Photographers and videographers both tread water in a crowded pool of competition, and often we feel in danger of drowning in that pool. Source: Internet

Still, the legislation will help some restaurants tread water throughout its roughly three-month lifespan, Martin added. Source: Internet

Wall Street continued to tread water just below a record, with technology stocks again leading the gains but the market’s cautious tone continuing to keep the rally limited. Source: Internet

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