ENGLISH
REFERENCE

water to one's mill

idiom
Meaning

That which energizes or stimulates one.


Origin

disputed origin

Suggesting the action of water powering a watermill. Similar idioms exist in many other European languages.

Examples
SIMPLE

This new project is water to my mill.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor loves difficult questions, so the student's challenging inquiry was truly water to his mill.

COMPLEX

For the ambitious researcher, the discovery of the rare manuscript served as water to her mill, providing the exact evidence needed to complete her thesis.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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