[ti:Oil and Water Do Not Mix]
[al:Words and Their Stories]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2023-05-07]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:06.26]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
[00:18.85]Oil and water are two very different substances. 
[00:24.86]Oil is thick. Water is thin. 
[00:29.11]If you pour oil into water, they do not mix, and the oil floats to the top.
[00:37.71]This difficult relationship can play a part in some laboratory experiments. 
[00:44.52]It can play a big part in kitchens as we cook food. 
[00:49.77]It can also be used to describe some of our personal relationships.
[00:57.00]If we say two people are like oil and water, it means they do not get along.
[01:04.46]They are not compatible.
[01:08.38]Things like objects, elements, and people that do not or cannot mix together easily can be compared to oil and water.
[01:20.30]Here is an example from experience. 
[01:23.77]My friend often asked me to watch her cat Bluey when she would travel out of town. 
[01:31.07]Usually, cats love me but not Bluey. 
[01:35.44]He would make terrible cat noises as soon as I walked into the apartment. 
[01:41.99]Every time I tried to pet him, he would bite and scratch me.
[01:46.98]So, I didn't like him either. We were like oil and water.
[01:53.36]I took care of him, but for the most part, we ignored each other.
[02:00.55]This expression describes how oil and water naturally separate. 
[02:06.54]They are incompatible. So are people who have nothing in common and do not get along.
[02:14.76]We sometimes say oil and water do not mix to express an opinion that two things do not go together.
[02:23.66]Here is another "oil" expression. If you pour oil on troubled water, you calm a tense situation. 
[02:34.38]You might not hear this expression too much in America as it is mainly a British usage.
[02:43.11]Now let's hear the expression used between two friends.
[02:48.28]A: I'm worried about my birthday party.
[02:53.09]B: Why? It's not until next weekend.
[02:56.05]A: It doesn't matter.
[02:58.45]My two best friends will never find a way to get along.
[03:04.24]Ben likes to plan everything and is a bit of a control freak. 
[03:11.07]Kara is super easy going and likes to play things by ear.
[03:17.11]B: Those two sound like oil and water.
[03:20.88]A: They are! And they want to throw the party together. What a truly bad idea.
[03:28.69]B: I have a good idea.
[03:30.80]I'll come to the party early. 
[03:33.43]If things between them get heated, I'll get between them and calm things down.
[03:40.05]A: You'll be the oil on my troubled waters!
[03:43.70]B: Sure. Whatever you say. I just want to have fun at your party!
[03:49.44]And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.