Quiz: "oil" or "water"?

The correct answer is: water

"This project has to be stopped. We have to pour cold _____ on it quickly.”

If you pour cold water on something, you criticize or discredit it and try to discourage interest in it.

Last Thursday, The Times published a report about the French drinks company Castel and the brewery SABMiller. According to the report, the companies were negotiating a possible sale of Castel’s African beer business. However, Castel representatives were quick to pour cold water on the report. The company denied that such negotiations were taking place and quelled the rumour.

pour cold water on something = einer Sache eine kalte Dusche verpassen

If someone pours oil on troubled water, they try to calm down a difficult situation. When “troubled” is used in reference to water, it means disturbed and agitated.

“Two of my colleagues had a disagreement yesterday — I had to pour oil on troubled waters."

pour oil on troubled water(s) = die Wogen glätten