rock (redirected from rocking)

be as solid as a rock

to be very solid. So much furniture these days is so flimsy - this table here was made a hundred years ago and it's solid as a rock.

be on the rocks

if a marriage or other romantic relationship is on the rocks, it has problems and is likely to end soon. It was no great surprise when they announced their divorce. The marriage had been on the rocks for some time.

between a rock and a hard place

if you are between a rock and a hard place, you have to make a difficult decision between two things that are equally unpleasant. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. If I go with Isobel, it'll be much more expensive and if I go with Julie, Isobel probably won't speak to me again.

See also: between, hard, place

get your rocks off (taboo!)

if a man gets his rocks off, he has sex. I don't think he cares what she looks like so long as he gets his rocks off.

The hand that rocks the cradle (rules the world).

something that you say which means women are very powerful because they have most influence over the way in which children develop into adults. The article claimed that most of the world's dictators had very domineering mothers. You know what they say, the hand that rocks the cradle.

See also: cradle, hand, that

like a shag on a rock (Australian, very informal)

completely alone. They walked out and left me like a shag on a rock.

See also: like

rock bottom

1. the lowest possible level. The morale of prison officers is at rock bottom. The president's opinion poll ratings have hit rock bottom.

2. if you are at rock bottom, you are the most unhappy you have ever been in your life. I'd never felt so depressed in my life - I was at rock bottom - so I started drinking. After Carly left me I hit rock bottom.

See also: bottom

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: boat

rock-bottom

rock bottom - the lowest possible level. It says here they're selling off carpet stock at rock-bottom prices.

rock/shake something to its foundations

to damage or change an organization or a person's beliefs very much. Allegations of scandal and abuse have rocked the party to its foundations. The ideas seemed to make sense, but shook the foundations of her own Christian beliefs.

See also: foundation, shake

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between a rock and a hard place

having only two very unpleasant choices. Schools for problem kids are between a rock and a hard place — they can be sued if children run away and get hurt, but have no power to keep the door locked.

See also: between, hard, place

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: boat, don't

hit rock bottom

to reach the lowest possible level or be in the worst possible situation. She used illegal drugs for eight years and quit before she hit rock bottom. The department has reached rock bottom, with employees being fired and supervisors facing criminal charges.

Usage notes: also used in the form be at rock bottom: Grain prices are now at rock bottom.

See also: bottom, hit

on the rocks

1. likely to fail because of serious problems. At the time, it seemed like capitalism was on the rocks. It became clear that her 15-year marriage to David was on the rocks.

Usage notes: most often refers to relationships between people or organizations, as in the examples

2. with ice. I'll have a whiskey and soda on the rocks.

Usage notes: used only to refer to alcoholic drinks