rocket
A kind of vehicle or weapon that moves because gas from burning fuel is pushed out of its back, often used to go into space or to attack a target.
A vehicle or missile that is driven forward by the force from burning fuel in a rocket engine, especially one used for space travel or as a weapon.
To go up very fast, especially in number, price, or level.
To rise or increase extremely quickly and suddenly, especially in amount, price, or level.
A small green salad plant with a strong taste; in American English it is called "arugula."
A leafy green plant with a strong, peppery taste, commonly used in salads; known as arugula in North American English.
A kind of firework on a stick that flies up into the sky and then explodes with lights or noise.
A type of firework that is fixed to a stick and shoots up into the sky before exploding with light or sound.
To go very fast and suddenly in one direction, like a rocket in the sky.
To move extremely fast and suddenly in a particular direction, often upward or forward, like a rocket.
A kind of engine that pushes gas out very fast to make a vehicle or missile move, used in rockets and spacecraft.
An engine that produces thrust by expelling exhaust gases at high speed, especially one used to power vehicles or missiles in space or the atmosphere.
- Base: rocket
- Plural: rockets
- Base: rocket
- 3rd Person Singular: rockets
- Present Participle: rocketing
- Past: rocketed
give someone a rocket
1strongly tell someone off
To speak to someone very angrily because they have done something wrong.
- The manager gave him a rocket for being late again.
- She’ll give you a rocket if she finds out you broke her laptop.
- The coach gave the whole team a rocket after their poor performance.
like a rocket
1very fast, very suddenly
Used to say that something moves or increases extremely fast and suddenly.
- The car took off like a rocket.
- Her career went up like a rocket after the show.
- The ball shot into the air like a rocket.
not rocket science
1said when something is easy
Used to say that something is not very difficult to understand or do.
- Just follow the instructions; it's not rocket science.
- Cooking basic pasta is not rocket science.
- Managing your password safely is important, but it's not rocket science.
rocket ahead
1advance or progress much faster
To move, grow, or make progress much faster than other people or things.
- The company has rocketed ahead of its competitors in the last two years.
- Her career rocketed ahead after she won the award.
- Electric cars have rocketed ahead in popularity.
rocket fuel
1very strong drink or stimulant
A very strong drink or substance that gives you a lot of energy, usually said jokingly about coffee or alcohol.
- This coffee is rocket fuel; I can't sleep after one cup.
- Be careful with that homemade wine—it's rocket fuel.
- He drinks an energy drink that's basically rocket fuel before the gym.
rocket scientist
1expert in rocket science, or very clever person
Literally, a person who studies or designs rockets; informally, a very clever person, especially in science.
- You don't have to be a rocket scientist to use this software.
- He really is a rocket scientist who works for a space agency.
- She's no rocket scientist, but she knows how to run a business.
rocket ship
1spacecraft shaped like a rocket
A spacecraft that looks like a rocket and can travel into space.
- As a child he dreamed of flying a rocket ship.
- The cartoon shows a rocket ship landing on the moon.
- They built a model rocket ship for the school project.
rocket to fame
1become famous very suddenly
To become famous very quickly, in a short time.
- She rocketed to fame after posting a single video online.
- The young actor rocketed to fame with his first film.
- The band rocketed to fame in the early 2000s.
rocket up
1go up very quickly
To go up to a much higher level very quickly, especially in price, number, or rate.
- Rents have rocketed up in the city centre.
- Fuel costs rocketed up after the new tax was introduced.
- Unemployment figures rocketed up during the crisis.
rocket science
1science of rockets and spaceflight
Science and engineering that study how rockets and spacecraft work and fly.
- He has a PhD in rocket science.
- Rocket science requires a deep understanding of physics and engineering.
- The book explains rocket science for general readers.
rocket science
2something very difficult to do or understand
Used to say something is not very hard, often in the negative form ‘It’s not rocket science’.
- Fixing this computer isn’t rocket science.
- Learning to cook is not rocket science.