rocket (redirected from rise like a rocket and fall like a stick)

rocket (in)to something 

1. Lit. [for a projectile] to ascend into the sky or into space; [for something] to shoot rapidly into something. The space shuttle rocketed into space. The locomotive rocketed into the darkness.

2. Fig. [for someone] to ascend rapidly into something, such as fame or prominence. Jill rocketed into prominence after her spectacular performance on the guitar. She will undoubtedly rocket to success.

rocket something into something

to send something somewhere-usually into space-by rocket. The government rocketed the satellite into space. Someone suggested rocketing our waste into space.

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give somebody a rocket  (British & Australian informal)

to speak angrily to someone about something that they have done (often + for + doing sth) My mum gave me a rocket for tearing my new jeans. (British & Australian informal)

See also: give

go like a rocket  (Australian)

if a machine goes like a rocket, it works very well 'How's the new computer?' 'Great, goes like a rocket.'

See also: like

it doesn't take a rocket scientist  also you don't have to be a rocket scientist

if you say that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand something, you mean that it is obvious (usually + to do sth) Drugs equals crime. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

See also: scientist, take

put a rocket under somebody   (British & Australian)

to do something to make someone hurry We're going to have to put a rocket under Tim if we want to catch that train.

See also: put

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it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do something also you don't have to be a rocket scientist to do something

it is easy to understand something It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that fewer and fewer schools can afford to maintain competitive athletic programs.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form it's not rocket science: A five year old could put this puzzle together - it's not rocket science.

See also: scientist, take