English · Proverb Attested 18+

oil and water don't mix

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Black people and white people should not form relationships; an admonition against interracial relationships.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Mối quan hệ giữa người da đen và người da trắng không nên hình thành

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

I don't think you quite realise, Benneville, what it means to be married to a native woman. It will mean that you lose friends, home, and everything that is worth living for to an Englishman. You would not be likely to make friends with the other natives. Oil and water don't mix. . .

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Some people, things, or characteristics do not go together.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Một số người, thứ hoặc đặc điểm không hợp nhau

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see oil, water, don't, mix.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Không có nghĩa đen hoặc thành ngữ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Topics: Water Dated

Common questions

What does “oil and water don't mix” mean?

Black people and white people should not form relationships; an admonition against interracial relationships.

Is “oil and water don't mix” formal or informal?

oil and water don't mix is generally dated, derogatory, offensive.