Rock the boat
verb
To cause trouble or disturb a peaceful situation.
Even though she disagreed with her team's decision, she didn't want to rock the boat by protesting.
Often appears as...
- don't rock the boat
- refuse to rock the boat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To change a stable situation in a way that may cause problems.
Tom's ideas were good, but they would radically rock the boat and the company wasn't ready for such big changes.
Often appears as...
- rock the boat with ideas
- not willing to rock the boat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To unsettle a situation by saying or doing something controversial.
He was notorious for expressing controversial opinions, often rocking the boat in the debate club.
Often appears as...
- rock the boat with opinions
- rock the boat politically
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To cause trouble or disturb a peaceful situation.
Even though she disagreed with her team's decision, she didn't want to rock the boat by protesting.
Often appears as...
- don't rock the boat
- refuse to rock the boat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To change a stable situation in a way that may cause problems.
Tom's ideas were good, but they would radically rock the boat and the company wasn't ready for such big changes.
Often appears as...
- rock the boat with ideas
- not willing to rock the boat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To unsettle a situation by saying or doing something controversial.
He was notorious for expressing controversial opinions, often rocking the boat in the debate club.
Often appears as...
- rock the boat with opinions
- rock the boat politically
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Discord
Used when someone creates a minor disturbance, but not a huge argument, within a tranquil setting.
Jessie liked harmony in the group, so he hesitated to rock the boat over a minor issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Group Dynamics
Often implies awareness of group harmony and the consequences of disrupting it.
She knew raising the complaint might rock the boat, so she waited for the right moment.
Pro Tip 3/3Risk Aversion
People might avoid 'rocking the boat' to maintain their standing or avoid retaliation.
He didn't rock the boat at work because he feared losing his job.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Discord
Used when someone creates a minor disturbance, but not a huge argument, within a tranquil setting.
Jessie liked harmony in the group, so he hesitated to rock the boat over a minor issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Group Dynamics
Often implies awareness of group harmony and the consequences of disrupting it.
She knew raising the complaint might rock the boat, so she waited for the right moment.
Pro Tip 3/3Risk Aversion
People might avoid 'rocking the boat' to maintain their standing or avoid retaliation.
He didn't rock the boat at work because he feared losing his job.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Discord
Used when someone creates a minor disturbance, but not a huge argument, within a tranquil setting.
Jessie liked harmony in the group, so he hesitated to rock the boat over a minor issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Group Dynamics
Often implies awareness of group harmony and the consequences of disrupting it.
She knew raising the complaint might rock the boat, so she waited for the right moment.
Pro Tip 3/3Risk Aversion
People might avoid 'rocking the boat' to maintain their standing or avoid retaliation.
He didn't rock the boat at work because he feared losing his job.
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