murky waters

murky waters

A situation or circumstance that is foreign, unclear, or unfamiliar and which may be dangerous or difficult as a result. We're starting to get into murky waters exploiting these tax loopholes. If we aren't careful, the government may crack down on us hard! John keeps himself so closed off that I've never understood the murky waters of his emotions.
See also: murky, water
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(be in/get into) murky/uncharted ˈwaters

(be in/get into) a difficult or dangerous situation that you do not know anything about: As I opened up the computer to try and fix the problem, I realized that I was getting into completely uncharted waters and decided to leave it to the experts.
Murky water is dark or dirty. If somebody is in uncharted waters, they are in an area of sea or ocean that is not known or recorded on a map.
See also: murky, uncharted, water
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • murky
  • murky/uncharted waters
  • in a sticky situation
  • mixed up in (something)
  • on a sticky wicket
  • batting on a sticky wicket
  • be in a sticky situation
  • be (batting) on a sticky wicket
  • a sticky situation
  • sticky
References in periodicals archive
A second bullet hole and a mysterious symbol muddy the murky waters.
Karachi -- Pakistan Stock Market climate appeared gloomy during the week with investors cautiously navigated through murky waters. As economic headwinds continue to subdue overall growth, market participants have hopes attached to a potential agreement with the IMF to bring the economy back to the right track and improve sentiment.
How do you deal with the emotional onslaught of a break-up while also trying to navigate the murky waters of social media without sinking completely?
The Kaiser's abdication was not only documented on the front page, inside was a cartoon showing him and a donkey (representing his throne) falling down the side of a cliff and straight into some murky waters.
A New Zealand scientist is leading an international team to the lake next month, where they will take samples of the murky waters and conduct DNA tests to determine what species live there.
Kadamay said that while the video clip that showed lawmakers and National Housing Authority (NHA) officials falling into murky waters appeared to be comical, it highlighted the seriousness of the problem facing government-built shelters.
That said it's an enjoyable game with friends but don't expect any real depth to these murky waters.
Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- Russia warned the US and its allies against "fishing in murky waters" of the Middle East, causing further chaos there, while UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia said the US shouldn't assume it has friends, only countries unable to disagree.
He shares his experiences and the basic change equation that will aid you in navigating the murky waters of change.
Since Mr Dornauf, in his opinion piece, had strayed quite markedly from the issue at stake, ie democracy and workers' rights, and into the "murky waters" of industrial relations, when he referred to both NZNO and Waikato Hospital in the same paragraph, I wondered why the Waikato Times took this stand.
Nothing beat watching the submarine Nautilus make its way through murky waters to be caught up in the twirling tentacles of a giant squid.
The Foreign Secretary-level talks which were to be held on January 15 in Islamabad has mired in murky waters after the fatal Pathankot terror attack.
For generations the urban creek has been diverted and tunnelled underground, only to rise behind malls--its murky waters unable to sustain much life of any form beyond algae.
Brandon Atwell, Frankie Penn and Thomas Young are buddies from high school and they share ownership of Murky Waters Blues & BBQ in Gulfport.