treading water

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Noun1.treading water - a stroke that keeps the head above water by thrashing the legs and armstreading water - a stroke that keeps the head above water by thrashing the legs and arms
swimming stroke - a method of moving the arms and legs to push against the water and propel the swimmer forward
thrash - a swimming kick used while treading water
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References in classic literature
But Jerry was to know Harley Kennan, and quickly, for it was Harley Kennan, a bowline around his body under his arm-pits, lowered by a couple of seamen down the generous freeboard of the Ariel, who gathered in by the nape of the neck the smooth-coated Irish terrier that, treading water perpendicularly, had no eyes for him so eagerly did he gaze at the line of faces along the rail in quest of the one face.
George came to the surface some yards from the overturned boat, and, looking round for Mr Mifflin, discovered that great thinker treading water a few feet away.
I sung out for Jim about a dozen times, but I didn't get any answer; so I grabbed a plank that touched me while I was "treading water," and struck out for shore, shoving it ahead of me.
And so I turned, and, treading water, raised my rifle above my head and awaited her.
A PILOT films himself and his passenger treading water in jellyfish-infested seas after their light aircraft crashed.
While the analyst is encouraged by the fulfillment-as-a-service launch and believes this could drive more partnerships and better profitability, Sutton sees this as a 2020 event and sees the stock treading water in the near-term.
Durham, NC, March 15, 2019 --(PR.com)-- In the midmarket space, IT teams often find themselves treading water just to stay afloat.
The fire service said the woman was found treading water in the middle of Cardiff Bay when she was rescued and had been in the water for about 25 minutes.
"I hate treading water and I'd hate to be with a team that just treads water."
These pool physical training sessions consist of treading water with weights, swimming exercises, breathholding drills, and pool entrance familiarization.
Acorns investment app has found fewer than one-third of millennials are very confident in managing their finances and nearly half say they're treading water financially or worse, the company said.
Waterborne shipping rates are treading water or are riding the waves.
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