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Idioms

rock the boat

This page is about the idiom rock the boat

INFORMAL

Meaning

If you rock the boat, you do or say something that will upset people by changing a situation that they don't want changed.

For example

  • Don't say anything that will rock the boat or you might lose your job.

  • The new teachers were told not to rock the boat by saying anything that could make the students question the school rules.

Quick Quiz

When Jenny started working at the hospital, she rocked the boat by

a. saying how well it was run

b. questioning the way things were done

c. doing her job quietly and not saying much
a) saying how well it was run b) questioning the way things were done c) doing her job quietly and not saying much

See Idiom of the Day today

Contributor: Matt Errey