The phrase "treading water"

[KingGheedora]

When used figuratively (i.e., not in reference to swimming), what does it mean? Does it mean no progress is being made, or good progress? I think of treading water as moving forward in the water, but my friend says it means you're staying afloat. Which is it?

 

[Farang]

No progress, but you're also on the brink of moving backwards and trying to save yourself.

 

[Chronoshock]

Staying afloat, its usually a negative metaphor meaning you're just barely keeping yourself from drowning

 

[blackdogdeek]

no progress, all energy used solely to merely get by. of course, it's still better than the "sinking like a rock" metaphor.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Staying afloat, its usually a negative metaphor meaning you're just barely keeping yourself from drowning

This.

You're holding your own, but not making any progress. Won't take much to start to sink. (begin to fail)

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Staying afloat, its usually a negative metaphor meaning you're just barely keeping yourself from drowning

This.

You're holding your own, but not making any progress. Won't take much to start to sink. (begin to fail)

Agreed.
As a side note...I seem to notice a schism with once common slang along generational lines.
< realizes he's old as some dirt.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Staying afloat, its usually a negative metaphor meaning you're just barely keeping yourself from drowning

This.

You're holding your own, but not making any progress. Won't take much to start to sink. (begin to fail)

Agreed.
As a side note...I seem to notice a schism with once common slang along generational lines.
< realizes he's old as some dirt.

<has long known he's older than most dirt...

 

[SneakyStuff]

Treading water = me studying for my final exams right now...

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
Treading water = me studying for my final exams right now...

I can relate. :laugh:

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
Treading water = me studying for my final exams right now...

I can relate. :laugh:

I hate all things accounting right now... I'm a marketing major damnit!

 

[rh71]

why not just float on your back?

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Staying afloat, its usually a negative metaphor meaning you're just barely keeping yourself from drowning

this is what I thought

 

[Kelemvor]

If you've ever treaded water you'd know that you are just staying in one place. Not going up, not going down, not going forward, not going backward. Just completely stagnant.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: rh71
why not just float on your back?

Because then you've gone "tits up".