作为生命之源，无论哪个文化和语言里，水一向占有很重要的位置，对中华文化水尤其有特别的象征意义，这从“水”这字在汉语成语很常见可以推想到。

中文有“水”的成语到底有几句呢？笔者搜索网络找到了至少100句成语，这里顺便举个“水”字当头，第二位，第三位，和在尾的例子：

水深火热，饮水思源，山穷水尽，如鱼得水，等等。

水的英译，“water”，在英语成语也是很重要的单字，本人收集了五十多句有“water”的英语成语。下面介绍十个实用常见例子作证，并做测验：

（答案周一发布）

(1)  Norman’s work requires a lot of language and technical skills. He often finds that he can barely keep his head above water.  

It means Norman is:

(a)  handling the job well

(b)  working hard

(c)  struggling with his work

(d)  a conscientious worker.

(2)  He was told that the new plan he’d developed just wouldn’t hold water.  

It means the plan:

(a)  is too ambitious

(b)  wouldn’t work

(c)  wouldn’t swim

(d)  wouldn’t sink.

(3)  Every time we came up with a new idea, Bob would throw cold water on it.  

It means Bob:

(a)  discourages it

(b)  disputes it

(c)  is excited about it

(d)  dislikes it.

(4)  After all the money that she’s borrowed and also spent, Jean now finds herself in deep water.  

It means Jean is:

(a)  confused

(b)  in despair

(c)  in defeat

(d)  in trouble.

(5)  All that happened many years ago; it’s all water under the bridge.

It means the problem is:

(a)  still important

(b)  not worth worrying about

(c)  worth talking about

(d)  something to avoid.

(6)  It’s been many years since we last met and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.

It means:

(a)  things are still the same between us

(b)  things have changed

(c)  we have broken up

(d)  a lot has happened.

(7)  Once he’s earned a bit of money Don immediately spends it like water.  

It means Don:

(a)  likes to drink

(b)  spends it every day

(c)  spends it freely

(d)  spends it very slowly.

(8)  Whenever she goes to company functions May always feels like a fish out of water.  

It means May always:

(a)  feels uncomfortable

(b)  talks a lot

(c)  feels thirsty

(d)  feels tired and hungry.

(9)  Their job as counselors is to pour oil on troubled waters.  

It means the advisors:

(a)  make things damper

(b)  mix things better

(c)  calm things down

(d)  pick things up.

(10) Anne was promoted so quickly to her new position because the president really thought she could walk on water.  

It means Anne:

(a)  is a good swimmer

(b)  hates to swim

(c)  is competent

(d)  is a good helper.

五分钟英语：英语单词陷阱

五分钟英语：诺贝尔奖,刘晓波,常用成语

五分钟英语：三个“愚蠢”