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to muddy the waters
01
to complicate a simple situation
![to [muddy] the (waters|issue) definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/45345/original/?type=jpeg "to [muddy] the (waters|issue) definition and meaning")
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "muddy the waters" and when to use it?
The idiom "muddy the waters" draws from the idea of stirring up sediment in a clear body of water, making it cloudy and unclear. It is used to create confusion or complicate a situation by introducing unclear, irrelevant, or distracting information, making it difficult to understand or reach a clear decision.
Examples
The new explanation only muddied the waters.
