How do you use "Watered down" in a sentence?

This drink tastes watered down — there's barely any alcohol in it. The final bill was a watered-down version of what they originally proposed. The soda from the fountain always tastes watered down.

Watered down

Q: What does "Watered down" mean?

Diluted, weakened — literally or figuratively. Literally, 'watered down' means a drink has been diluted with too much water or ice, making it weak. Figuratively, it means anything that's been made weaker or less effective: a 'watered-down version' of a plan, law, or idea. Both uses are common in American English.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Diluted, weakened — literally or figuratively.

被稀释的、被削弱的——可以是字面意思也可以是比喻。

Diluido, debilitado — en sentido literal o figurado.

薄められた、弱められた——文字通りにも比喩的にも使う。

희석된, 약해진——문자 그대로 또는 비유적으로 사용.

Literally, 'watered down' means a drink has been diluted with too much water or ice, making it weak. Figuratively, it means anything that's been made weaker or less effective: a 'watered-down version' of a plan, law, or idea. Both uses are common in American English.

从字面意思上讲，'watered down'是指饮料被加了太多水或冰，变得寡淡无味。从比喻意义上讲，它指任何被削弱或降低效力的东西：一个'watered-down version'的计划、法律或想法。两种用法在美式英语中都很常见。

Literalmente, 'watered down' significa que una bebida ha sido diluida con demasiada agua o hielo, haciéndola floja. En sentido figurado, significa cualquier cosa que ha sido debilitada o hecha menos efectiva: una versión 'aguada' de un plan, una ley o una idea. Ambos usos son comunes en el inglés estadounidense.

文字通りには、「ウォータード・ダウン」は飲み物が水や氷で薄められて弱くなっていること。比喩的には、計画・法律・アイデアなど何でも弱体化されたものを指す。「watered-down version（骨抜きバージョン）」のように使う。どちらの用法もアメリカ英語では一般的。

문자 그대로 'watered down'은 음료에 물이나 얼음이 너무 많이 들어가 맛이 약해진 것을 의미한다. 비유적으로는 계획, 법안, 아이디어 등이 약화되거나 덜 효과적으로 된 것을 뜻한다. 'watered-down version'은 원본보다 힘이 빠진 버전이다. 두 가지 용법 모두 미국 영어에서 흔하다.

Examples

This drink tastes watered down — there's barely any alcohol in it.
这杯酒喝起来兑了水似的——几乎没什么酒精。
Esta bebida sabe aguada — apenas tiene alcohol.
このドリンク、水で薄まってる感じがする——アルコールがほとんど入ってないよ。
이 음료 물탄 것 같아——알코올이 거의 안 느껴져.
The final bill was a watered-down version of what they originally proposed.
最终法案是原提案被大幅削弱后的版本。
La ley final fue una versión descafeinada de lo que propusieron originalmente.
最終法案は当初の提案を骨抜きにしたバージョンだった。
최종 법안은 원래 제안을 물 탄 버전이었어.
The soda from the fountain always tastes watered down.
饮料机打出来的汽水喝起来总是淡淡的。
El refresco del dispensador siempre sabe aguado.
ファウンテンの炭酸飲料はいつも薄まった味がする。
자판기 탄산음료는 항상 물탄 맛이 나.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: drinks, criticism, complaints, figurative use

Tone: disappointed, critical

✓ Do Say

This cocktail is so watered down.
这杯鸡尾酒太淡了。
Este cóctel está muy aguado.
このカクテル、めちゃくちゃ薄いんだけど。
이 칵테일 완전 물 탄 거 같아.
That's a watered-down compromise.
那是一个被大打折扣的妥协方案。
Eso es un compromiso descafeinado.
あれは骨抜きの妥協案だね。
그건 물 탄 타협안이야.

✗ Don't Say

Avoid complaining about 'watered-down' drinks too loudly in a bar — it's essentially accusing the bartender of cheating you
不要在酒吧里大声抱怨酒'兑了水'——这等于在指控酒保坑你
Evita quejarte de bebidas 'aguadas' demasiado alto en un bar — básicamente estás acusando al camarero de engañarte
バーで「薄い」と大声で文句を言うのは避けよう——バーテンダーにごまかされていると非難しているのと同じことになる
바에서 음료가 '물 탔다'고 너무 크게 불평하지 말 것——본질적으로 바텐더가 속이고 있다고 비난하는 것이 된다

Origin & History

English expression dating to the 1800s. Originally referred to the practice of dishonest bartenders or merchants diluting beverages with water to increase profits. The figurative meaning (weakened) follows naturally.

Cultural Context

Era: 1800s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal