treadwater
verbUK /ˌtrɛd ˈwɔːtə/
US /ˌtrɛd ˈwɔtər/
To move your arms and legs to stay floating in deep water without sinking.
She treaded water for ten minutes while waiting for the boat.
SYNONYMS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. To make no progress while seeming busy.
The project was treading water for months without any real results.
3. To keep something from sinking by moving the feet.
He treaded water to keep his head above the waves.
4. To stay in the same situation without improving or worsening.
The company treaded water during the slow season.