Oil and Water Do Not Mix
2023-05-07
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2Oil and water are two very different substances.
3Oil is thick. Water is thin.
4If you pour oil into water, they do not mix, and the oil floats to the top.
5This difficult relationship can play a part in some laboratory experiments.
6It can play a big part in kitchens as we cook food.
7It can also be used to describe some of our personal relationships.
8If we say two people are like oil and water, it means they do not get along.
9They are not compatible.
10Things like objects, elements, and people that do not or cannot mix together easily can be compared to oil and water.
11Here is an example from experience.
12My friend often asked me to watch her cat Bluey when she would travel out of town.
13Usually, cats love me but not Bluey.
14He would make terrible cat noises as soon as I walked into the apartment.
15Every time I tried to pet him, he would bite and scratch me.
16So, I didn't like him either. We were like oil and water.
17I took care of him, but for the most part, we ignored each other.
18This expression describes how oil and water naturally separate.
19They are incompatible. So are people who have nothing in common and do not get along.
20We sometimes say oil and water do not mix to express an opinion that two things do not go together.
21Here is another "oil" expression. If you pour oil on troubled water, you calm a tense situation.
22You might not hear this expression too much in America as it is mainly a British usage.
23Now let's hear the expression used between two friends.
24A: I'm worried about my birthday party.
25B: Why? It's not until next weekend.
26A: It doesn't matter.
27My two best friends will never find a way to get along.
28Ben likes to plan everything and is a bit of a control freak.
29Kara is super easy going and likes to play things by ear.
30B: Those two sound like oil and water.
31A: They are! And they want to throw the party together. What a truly bad idea.
32B: I have a good idea.
33I'll come to the party early.
34If things between them get heated, I'll get between them and calm things down.
35A: You'll be the oil on my troubled waters!
36B: Sure. Whatever you say. I just want to have fun at your party!
37And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2Oil and water are two very different substances. Oil is thick. Water is thin. If you pour oil into water, they do not mix, and the oil floats to the top. 3This difficult relationship can play a part in some laboratory experiments. It can play a big part in kitchens as we cook food. It can also be used to describe some of our personal relationships. 4If we say two people are like oil and water, it means they do not get along. They are not compatible. 5Things like objects, elements, and people that do not or cannot mix together easily can be compared to oil and water. 6Here is an example from experience. My friend often asked me to watch her cat Bluey when she would travel out of town. Usually, cats love me but not Bluey. He would make terrible cat noises as soon as I walked into the apartment. Every time I tried to pet him, he would bite and scratch me. So, I didn't like him either. We were like oil and water. I took care of him, but for the most part, we ignored each other. 7This expression describes how oil and water naturally separate. They are incompatible. So are people who have nothing in common and do not get along. 8We sometimes say oil and water do not mix to express an opinion that two things do not go together. 9Here is another "oil" expression. If you pour oil on troubled water, you calm a tense situation. You might not hear this expression too much in America as it is mainly a British usage. 10Now let's hear the expression used between two friends. 11A: I'm worried about my birthday party. 12B: Why? It's not until next weekend. 13A: It doesn't matter. My two best friends will never find a way to get along. Ben likes to plan everything and is a bit of a control freak. Kara is super easy going and likes to play things by ear. 14B: Those two sound like oil and water. 15A: They are! And they want to throw the party together. What a truly bad idea. 16B: I have a good idea. I'll come to the party early. If things between them get heated, I'll get between them and calm things down. 17A: You'll be the oil on my troubled waters! 18B: Sure. Whatever you say. I just want to have fun at your party! 19And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 20Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 21_______________________________________________________________ 22Words in This Story 23compatible - adj. able to coexist without problems 24control freak - n. a person whose behavior indicates a powerful need to control people or circumstances in everyday matters 25play things by ear - idiom to do something without special preparation 26_______________________________________________________________ 27We want to hear from you. Do you have a similar expression in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. 28We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 29Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.