rock the boat

phrase

: to do something that disturbs the equilibrium of a situation

Examples of rock the boat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 35-year-old has been a backup option for much of his career and would not have rocked the boat if that scenario had played out again next term. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rock the boat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rock%20the%20boat. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster