boat (redirected from boated)

be in the same boat

to be in the same unpleasant situation as other people. She's always complaining that she doesn't have enough money, but we're all in the same boat. If he loses his job he'll be in the same boat as any other unemployed person. (often + as)

See also: same

burn your boats (British & Australian, British, American & Australian)

to do something that makes it impossible for you to change your plans and go back to the situation you were in before. She didn't want to burn her boats by asking for a divorce, so she suggested a trial separation instead. I'd already burned my bridges with my previous employer by publicly criticizing their products.

See also: burn

miss the boat

to be too late to get something that you want. Anyone still hoping for concert tickets will discover they have missed the boat. I sent off my university application at the last minute and nearly missed the boat.

See also: miss

push the boat out (British)

to spend a lot of money or more money than you usually do, especially when you are celebrating. As it's your birthday, I think we can push the boat out and have a bottle of champagne. They really pushed the boat out for Jane's wedding. (sometimes + for)

See also: push

rock the boat (informal)

to do or say something that causes problems, especially if you try to change a situation which most people do not want to change. We certainly don't want anyone rocking the boat just before the election. I tried to suggest a few ways in which we might improve our image and was told very firmly not to rock the boat.

See also: rock

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don't rock the boat

do not upset people by trying to change a situation. You shouldn't sit there and say everything's fine, don't rock the boat.

Usage notes: sometimes used without don't: Of course you'll want to rock the boat.To my mind, "make waves" & "rock the boat" are not syns, tho closely related, as rock the boat cannot be used to describe the creation of a new situation, whereas make waves can--SL, 9/02

keep your nose clean

make waves

See also: don't, rock

in the same boat

experiencing the same situation or condition. Suddenly Paul was in the same boat as any other worker who had lost a job.

See also: same

miss the boat

1. to lose an opportunity that could lead to success. He thinks we're missing the boat on improving relations with Russia.

2. to not understand the importance of something. I believe that people who think this issue is simply going to disappear have missed the boat.

See also: miss

whatever floats your boat

do what makes you happy. If you want to have five children you should have five — whatever floats your boat.

Usage notes: also used in the form what floats your boat: By the time you've finished high school, you've probably figured out what floats your boat.

See also: float, whatever