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Put Water to It

In Appalachian and Southern talk, "put water to it" means to add water to something - food, drink, plants, or anything that needs thinning, stretching, or refreshing.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #FarmTalk

Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you've got a tree looking puny, you might 'put water to it.' 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you've got a tree looking puny, you might 'put water to it.' 

Pronunciation

[put WAH-ter to it]

Meaning & Usage

- Add water to thin or loosen (verb phrase)

Mama:
This soup’s a mite salty.
Daddy:
Just put water to it and it’ll be fine.

- Give water to refresh or keep alive (verb phrase)

Dan:
That tree’s lookin’ thirsty. Better put water to it.

- Make do by stretching something (verb phrase)

Grandma:
Not enough tea for everyone?
Aunt Lou:
I’ll put water to it so we all get a glass.
variations: add water, water it down, thin it out, stretch it, hydrate
★ This saying shows up in kitchens, gardens, and farms - anywhere water can stretch, refresh, or keep something going. ★

Origin and Etymology

Plain English in form, but widely heard in Appalachian speech. Its flexibility - from soup pots to orchards - helped it become a set phrase.

Usage Notes

Still common among older Appalachian and Southern speakers. Used both literally (watering food or plants) and figuratively (stretching something to make do).

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain and quick: "put wah-ter t’ it."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does it only mean cooking?
No - it can apply to plants, animals, or anything that needs water.
Is it negative, like "watering down" an idea?
Not usually. It’s practical and homey, not critical.
Still used today?
Yes, especially in rural areas - from kitchen tables to garden rows.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 29). Put Water to It. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/put-water-to-it
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    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Put Water to It." HillbillySlang.com, 29 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/put-water-to-it.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Put Water to It." HillbillySlang.com. August 29, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/put-water-to-it.
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