# oil and water

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/oil-and-water
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Two things which are incapable of mixing or coexisting harmoniously with each other.

## Examples

- Their personalities are like oil and water.
- We tried to work together on the project, but we were like oil and water.
- The two politicians were like oil and water, ensuring that any attempt at a bipartisan agreement would inevitably fail.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.