Have you ever been on a boat and gotten sea sick? Sea sickness is a common problem for many when they travel by boat. It is also referred to as motion sickness. It is the result of a problem in the inner ear, which is responsible for balance and equilibrium.
For some people, when the boat goes back and forth or rocks this can cause them to feel sick. Have you ever been in a boat and someone stands up and the boat starts to become unstable and rocks back and forth? It’s a little scary.
In some cases, if the boat is rocked too hard and too much the boat will tip over. When we use the phrase rock the boat it is idiomatic and basically means when someone does or say something that causes a problem they are rocking the boat.
The phrase originated from an American politician, William Jennings Bryan: “The man who rocks the boat” ought to be stoned when he gets back on shore.”
Meaning
When we rock the boat, it describes a situation where someone figuratively causes a disruption to someone or someplace that normally enjoys smooth and problem free experience.
Example
- I wouldn’t rock the boat right now and ask for more money. You might end up losing your job.
- When it comes to our relationship, it is important that we choose our times to give feedback, rocking the boat at the wrong time might cause bigger problems.
Dialog
Courtney: Hey Blake, you look a little upset. What’s wrong?
Blake: OH, it is just my girlfriend. She is driving me crazy@
Courtney: OK. What do you mean by driving you crazy?
Blake: Well, nothing is ever good enough for her. We get through one problem, things seem like they are smooth sailing and then there is a problem again. She is always rocking the boat and I am getting a little sick of it.
Courtney:Yeah, I can understand how you would feel. My parents just can’t be happy with what I do, they are always pushing me to be better. They like rocking the boat.
Blake: Hmmm, interesting. So what you are saying is that maybe my girlfriend just wants us to keep getting better?
Courtney: Maybe, that is one way of looking at it.
Blake: I see, maybe your right. Sometimes it is good to rock the boat.
Other words you can create: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc (ex: mug – mugger)
- complain
- cause trouble
- disagree
- disturb
- object to
- defy
- disturb
- ruffle
- cause a fuss
Related phrasal verbs
Make a stink/Create a stink
Someone who makes a stink cause a disturbance or expresses their displeasure about something in public and often inappropriate way.
- She is always making a stink about working overtime, I think she should be careful and not rock the boat to much or she might get pushed out!
Get out of line
When someone gets out of line, it means they are not in agreement and theysre not conforming. Often times we use this expression to describe someone (children) who do not behave in an expected manner.
- I would suggest that you don’t get out of line today in the mall, if you rock the boat too much Mom will take use home!
Take exception to
This is a phrase we use to express being offend by something or somebody.
- Bill’s comment today in the meeting really rocked the boat with our relationship, I take exception to his manner and tone of voice especially!
Cause trouble
When we say that someone is causing trouble, they are doing something that people don’t like and disturbing the normal balance of an environment.
- Tanya is always rocking the boat and causing trouble at school.
Mix up
In this context of rock the boat it we use to indicate someone is causing confusion and a mistake or failure to do something.
- Sally’s comment really caused a mix up in the group and really rocked the boat for everyone.
Related idioms
Smooth sailing
This idiom is used to describe a situation where everything is OK, there are no problems.
Stir things up
This idiom is used to express that someone or something is cause some problems, usually unnecessarily.
Make a mountain out of a mole hill
This idiom is used to describe when someone makes a problem bigger than it is or should be.
Making waves
When we use this phrase we are suggesting someone or something is causing unnecessary issues and problems.
Challenge the status quo
When someone is challenging the status quo, they are opposing the normal way of people doing things or the normal and accepted way of a group of people doing things.
Ruffle someone’s feathers
When we ruffle someone’s feathers we are disturbing them or irritating them in a purposeful way.
If it’s not broken don’t fix it
This idiom is used when we want to express the idea that if things are ok, leave them alone and let it continue as it is.
Upset the apple cart
This is a phrase or idiom that express when someone or something creates difficulty or upsets people unnecessarily.
Leave well enough alone
This phrase is used to tell someone to stop disturbing or don’t disturb something that is already doing ok.
Synonyms (other ways to say)
Disturb the balance
Making waves
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