to tread water
Swim without progress
To tread water is to stay afloat in an upright position by moving the legs and arms, keeping the head above the surface without making forward progress.
Figuratively, it means maintaining a situation without advancing or improving: The company has been treading water since the merger.
The phrase often implies stagnation or barely getting by.
- afloatSupported by water
- paddleFlat-bladed water tool
- dog paddleHead-up swimming stroke
- swimMove through water
- holding patternCircular flight awaiting clearance
keep afloat · buoyancy · limbo · sink · status quo · marking time · waiting game · drown · going nowhere · running in place · spinning wheels · stagnation · stay · pool · perseverance · catch your breath · equilibrium · splash