Phrase (compound noun)
/oɪl ənd ˈwɔːtər/
The phrase "oil and water" refers to two things that do not mix or are fundamentally incompatible. It is often used metaphorically to describe relationships, ideas, or people that are very different from one another, suggesting that they cannot coexist or work together harmoniously. The usage frequency is moderate, and it is common in both spoken and written contexts, particularly in discussions involving contrasts or incompatibilities.
Oil and water do not mix in this partnership, as their approaches to business are entirely different.
(El aceite y el agua no se mezclan en esta asociación, ya que sus enfoques comerciales son completamente diferentes.)
The two friends were like oil and water, always finding themselves in disagreement during discussions.
(Los dos amigos eran como el aceite y el agua, siempre encontrándose en desacuerdo durante las discusiones.)
His political beliefs and those of his family were like oil and water, leading to heated debates at the dinner table.
(Sus creencias políticas y las de su familia eran como el aceite y el agua, lo que llevó a calorosos debates en la mesa durante la cena.)
The phrase "oil and water" is often used in idiomatic expressions to emphasize the incompatibility between various concepts or entities. Here are several examples:
They work together, but their personalities are like oil and water.
(Ellos trabajan juntos, pero sus personalidades son como el aceite y el agua.)
In this project, we have ideas that are like oil and water; they simply can't be blended.
(En este proyecto, tenemos ideas que son como el aceite y el agua; simplemente no se pueden mezclar.)
Certain cultures and traditions can sometimes seem like oil and water when combined.
(Ciertas culturas y tradiciones a veces pueden parecer como el aceite y el agua cuando se combinan.)
When it comes to teamwork, their attitudes are oil and water, making collaboration quite challenging.
(Cuando se trata de trabajo en equipo, sus actitudes son aceite y agua, lo que hace que la colaboración sea bastante desafiante.)
Their relationship was always strained, as their opinions on life were oil and water.
(Su relación siempre era tensa, ya que sus opiniones sobre la vida eran aceite y agua.)
The phrase "oil and water" dates back to at least the early 17th century, with its literal sense referring to the inability of oil and water to mix due to their differing densities and chemical properties. The metaphorical use emerged as people began to realize the broader implications of incompatibility it represented.
This structure provides a comprehensive overview of the phrase "oil and water," its meanings, uses, and related expressions.