fish in troubled waters
US /fɪʃ ɪn ˈtrʌb.əld ˈwɔː.tərz/
UK /fɪʃ ɪn ˈtrʌb.əld ˈwɔː.tərz/
1.
to try to gain an advantage from a difficult or confused situation
:
•
The politician was accused of trying to fish in troubled waters by exploiting the recent scandal.
•
During the company's financial crisis, some employees tried to fish in troubled waters by spreading rumors.