troubled waters Definition

1. Agitated, disturbed, etc or reflecting, showing, having experienced, etc some kind of trouble.

Example: a troubled look on her face
Example: the victim of a troubled childhood
Thesaurus: disturbed, worried, agitated, apprehensive, anxious, perplexed, afflicted, confused, overwrought, bothered, vexed, harassed, harried, preoccupied, concerned; Antonym: carefree.

A state of agitation, confusion, disruption, etc.
Example: guided the company through potentially troubled waters