tread water
To keep the head above water with the body in an upright position by moving the feet as if walking.
He kept afloat by treading water.
water down
To change and make weaker; weaken.
Ослаблять, сглаживать, смягчать.
The Senator argued that the House should water down the bill before passing it.
The African American did not accept watered down Civil Rights legislation.
After talking with the management about their demands, the workers agreed to water them down.
The teacher had to water down the course for a slow-learning class.
His story was watered down so the children weren’t scared.
Его история была смягчена, так что дети не были напуганы.
water over the dam
water under the bridge
Something that happened in the past and cannot be changed.
Что-то, что произошло в прошлом и не может быть изменено.
Since the sweater is too small already, don't worry about its shrinking; that's water over the dam.
I can see how upset you are because of the divorce, but it is water under the bridge now and you can’t do anything about it.
Я понимаю, что ты очень расстроен из-за развода, но прошлого не вернешь и ты не можешь ничего с этим поделать.
watered down
Weakened; diluted.
The play was a disappointing, watered down version of Shakespeare's Othello.
watering hole
watering place
A bar, pub, or nightclub where people gather to drink and socialize.
I like "The Silver Dollar" - it is my favorite watering hole in all of Sidney, Nebraska.
written in water
Недолговечный, преходящий.
His fame is written in water.
Его слава недолговечна.