It means to treat a person kindly or gently, especially in a situation where you might be expected to be angry with him.

VOA: special.2010.08.29

But a few verses later it's clear that the poet isn't really drowning: this is a metaphor for his difficult situation.

但是随后的几首诗证明了，诗人并没有真正的溺水：,这里的水象征着困境。

耶鲁公开课 - 旧约导论课程节选

or if it's over a long period of time and it's an ongoing situation that you want to get rid of.

或者是一件持续了很久的事，你特别想摆脱它。

I'm afraid of 课堂 - SpeakingMax英语口语达人

Is it a situation where people not only have been displaced but also their lives have ended?

NPR: Examining the Political Climate in Zimbabwe

In Birmingham, it's a different situation, in Newcastle it's a different situation.

BBC: Politics Show, Sunday 23 October 2005

"It is a situation that it peculiar to Northern Ireland players and Rory is very aware of whom he may upset and that is the last thing that he wants, " she said.

BBC: Rory McIlroy