rock
Hard natural mineral material
A hard, solid material from the ground, made of minerals.
a [size/shape] rock
- The hikers stopped to rest on a large rock.
- This type of rock contains a lot of quartz.
- She threw a rock into the lake.
- The cave was hidden behind a wall of rock.
- I see a big rock.
- The rock is very hard.
- He sits on the rock.
- A rock is on the ground.
Popular music with strong rhythm
A kind of loud music with a strong beat, usually with electric guitars and drums.
- He plays guitar in a rock band.
- They went to see their favorite rock singer perform live.
- Classic rock from the 1970s is still popular today.
- I like rock music.
- My brother plays in a rock band.
- We listen to rock at home.
Move gently back and forth
To move slowly from side to side or back and forth.
to rock [something/someone]
- She rocked the baby until he fell asleep.
- The boat rocked in the waves.
- He rocked back and forth in his chair.
- I rock the baby.
- The chair rocks slowly.
- The boat rocks in the water.
Do something very well
To do something very well or be great at it.
to rock [something]
- You really rocked that presentation!
- She rocks at playing the guitar.
- They totally rocked the competition.
- You rock at singing.
- He rocks in sports.
- She rocks her new job.
Large diamond or gemstone
A big diamond or jewel.
- She showed off the huge rock on her finger.
- That engagement ring has quite a rock!
- She has a big rock on her ring.
- The rock shines in the light.
- Base: rock
- Plural: rock, rocks
- Base: rock
- 3rd Person Singular: rocks
- Present Participle: rocking
- Past: rocked
on the rocks
1In serious difficulty or near failure (or drink with ice)
In trouble or likely to fail (or for drinks, served over ice). Context shows which meaning is intended.
- Their marriage is on the rocks after years of arguments.
- I'd like my whiskey on the rocks, please.
rock bottom
1Lowest possible point or level
The lowest point or worst time in someone's life or situation.
- After losing his job, he hit rock bottom emotionally.
- Prices have reached rock bottom this year.
solid as a rock
1Very strong or dependable
Very strong, safe, or reliable.
- Their friendship is solid as a rock.
- This table is solid as a rock—it won't break easily.
between a rock and a hard place
1faced with two bad choices
To be in a situation where you must choose between two bad things.
- I'm between a rock and a hard place—either I quit my job or move away from my family.
- I'm between a rock and a hard place—either option will upset someone.
- She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place when deciding on the budget cuts.
- She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place when both jobs had major downsides.
rock the boat
1Upset an existing situation
To cause problems by changing something that works well now.
- Everything is going smoothly, so don’t rock the boat.
- He tends to rock the boat whenever he joins a new team.
rock the boat
2Disturb a stable situation
To say or do something that changes a good situation and may cause problems.
- I don't want to rock the boat by asking for more money now.
- Everything is going well—let's not rock the boat.