rock
A hard, solid material from the ground, made of minerals.
A solid mass of mineral material forming part of the Earth's surface.
A kind of loud music with a strong beat, usually with electric guitars and drums.
A genre of popular music characterized by a strong beat, simple chord progressions, and often played with electric guitars and drums.
To move slowly from side to side or back and forth.
To move someone or something gently backwards and forwards or from side to side.
To do something very well or be great at it.
To do something in an excellent or impressive way, often showing confidence and energy.
A big diamond or jewel.
A diamond or other precious stone, especially one that is large and eye-catching.
- 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.