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Pour oil on troubled waters

verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation. idiomatic

    "Tom Street deemed it his duty to pour oil upon the troubled waters, being, as it were, officially responsible for the welfare of the chowder-plates and tobacco-pipes which were hired for the occasion."

Etymology

From the ancient practice of pouring oil on the seawaves in order to calm them.

See also for "pour oil on troubled waters"

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