rock1 nounrock2 verb
rockrock1 /rɒk $ rɑːk/ ●●● S2 W2 noun 
WORD ORIGINrock1
Origin:
1, 3-10 1300-1400 Old North French roque, from Vulgar Latin rocca2 1900-2000 ➔ ROCK2EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a rock concert
- Eugene stood on a rock and called for help.
- Geologists study the exposed sections of rock.
- igneous rock
- KXCI plays rock, blues, jazz, world beat, and folk music.
- Come up on to the top of the rock!
- Fearing the ships might founder on coastal rocks, the admiral summoned all his navigators to put their heads together.
- It must be practical enough to reach between rocks and plants.
- Only then comes the point where the crust finally ends and the mantle rock begins.
- Some volcanoes produce only one kind of rock during their entire lives, but others show an impressive diversity.
- The Cliff Palace was cut into the rock, round rooms and towers, walls with irregular openings.
- Those rocks and boulders were like mountains.
THESAURUS
a piece of the hard substance that forms the main surface of the Earth. In British English, rocks are too large to pick up, but in American English, they can either be large or small: · the rocks along the riverbanks
a small piece of rock, found on the ground or near the surface of the ground. Speakers of American English are more likely to use the word rock than stone: · The children were throwing stones into the water.
a large round piece of rock: · She climbed over a few boulders at the edge of the sea.
a small smooth stone found especially on a beach or on the bottom of a river: · The beach was covered with smooth white pebbles.
a rock which has the shape of an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years ago: · fossils of early reptiles
WORD SETSabalone, nounacetic acid, nounadditive, nounaftertaste, nounà la carte, adjectiveal dente, adjectivealfresco, adjectiveambrosia, nounangelica, nounaniseed, nounantipasto, nounappetizer, nounarrowroot, nounbad, adjectivebaker, nounbaking powder, nounbaking soda, nounbanana split, nounbanger, nounbanquet, nounbanqueting hall, nounbarbie, nounbarley, nounbasil, nounbass, nounbatch, nounbay leaf, nounBBQ, nounbean, nounbean curd, nounbeansprout, nounbeef, nounbeefburger, nounbeefsteak, nounbeet, nounbell pepper, nounberry, nounbetel, nounbetel nut, nounbicarbonate of soda, nounbilberry, nounbill of fare, nounbinge, nounbinge, verbbistro, nounblackberry, nounblack-eyed bean, nounblack pepper, nounblack pudding, nounblend, verbblend, nounblueberry, nounboard, nounbolt, verbbone, verbbon vivant, nounbony, adjectivebox lunch, nounbramble, nounbran, nounbrandy butter, nounbrasserie, nounbrawn, nounbreakfast, nounbrisket, nounbroiler, nounbroiler chicken, nounbroth, nounbrown rice, nounbrunch, nounbubble gum, nounbuckwheat, nounbuffet, nounbun, nounbus, verbbusboy, nounbutcher, nounbutcher, verbbutchery, nounbuttercream, nounbutty, nouncafé, nouncafeteria, nouncaff, nouncaffeine, nouncake, nouncan, verbcandy, nouncanned, adjectivecapon, nouncapsicum, nouncaraway, nouncarbohydrate, nouncare package, nouncarvery, nouncassava, nouncater, verbcaterer, nouncatering, nouncatsup, nouncatwalk, nouncayenne pepper, nouncereal, nouncheese, nounchef, nouncherry tomato, nounchickpea, nounchilli, nounChinese, nounchip shop, nounchives, nounchocolate, nounchocolatey, adjectiveChristmas dinner, nounchuck steak, nouncitric acid, nouncitron, nounclotted cream, nounclub sandwich, nouncob, nouncobbler, nouncocoa, nouncocoa bean, nouncoconut milk, nouncoffee house, nouncoffee shop, nouncold cuts, nouncold storage, nouncold store, nouncommissary, nounconcentrate, nouncondensed milk, nouncondiment, nouncone, nounconfection, nounconfectioner, nounconfectioner's sugar, nounconfectionery, nounconserve, nouncontent, nouncontinental breakfast, nounconvenience food, nouncook-chill, adjectivecooker, nouncookie, nouncooking, nouncooking oil, nouncorn bread, nouncorn chip, nouncorncob, nouncorned beef, nouncornet, nouncornflakes, nouncornflour, nouncornmeal, nouncorn on the cob, nouncorn pone, nouncornstarch, nouncorn syrup, nouncottage cheese, nouncotton candy, nouncourgette, nouncourse, nouncover charge, nouncrab, nouncrab apple, nouncracker, nouncrackling, nouncranberry, nouncrayfish, nouncream, nouncream cheese, nouncream cracker, nouncreamer, nouncreamy, adjectivecress, nouncrisp, nouncrisp, adjectivecrispbread, nouncrispy, adjectivecroissant, nouncroquette, nouncrouton, nouncrumb, nouncrumpet, nouncrunchy, adjectivecrust, nouncrusty, adjectivecrystallized, adjectivecucumber, nouncud, nouncuisine, nouncupcake, nouncurd, nouncurdle, verbcurrant, nouncustard, nouncut, nouncutlet, noundainty, nounDanish pastry, noundate, noundefrost, verbdelicacy, noundemerara sugar, noundesiccated, adjectivedevilled, adjectivedevour, verbdiabetic, adjectivedigest, verbdigestible, adjectivedill, noundill pickle, noundine, verbdiner, noundining car, noundinner, noundinner dance, noundinner party, noundinner theater, noundinnertime, noundissolve, verbdoggy bag, noundoily, noundollop, noundough, noundown, verbdrain, verbdredge, verbdried, adjectivedried fruit, noundripping, noundrumstick, noundry goods, noundunk, verbEaster egg, nouneat, verbeatery, nouneating apple, nouneats, nounEccles cake, nounéclair, nounEdam, nounedible, adjectiveeel, nounegg, nouneggplant, nounegg roll, nounelevenses, nounendive, nounEnglish breakfast, nounEnglish muffin, nounentrée, nounepicure, nounescalope, nounevaporated milk, nounfast food, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfeta cheese, nounfig, nounfilbert, nounfillet, verbfilling, adjectivefilling, nounfilo, nounflounder, nounfloury, adjectiveflyblown, adjectivefoil, nounfoodstuff, nounforage, nounfork, verbfortify, verbfreeze-dried, adjectiveFrench bean, nounFrench bread, nounFrench dressing, nounFrench fry, nounFrench loaf, nounFrench stick, nounfries, nounfromage frais, nounfrozen, adjectivefruit, nounfudge, nounfull-fat, adjectivegaram masala, noungarlic, noungarnish, noungarnish, verbgastronomic, adjectivegastronomy, noungel, verbginger, nounglass, nounglassware, noungolden raisin, noungoody, noungourmand, noungrain, nounGranary, adjectivegranulated, adjectivegreasy, adjectivegreasy spoon, noungreen, adjectivegrill, noungristle, noungrocer, nounground, adjectiveground beef, noungrub, noungruel, nounguava, noungum, noungumball, noungumbo, noungumdrop, nounhalal, adjectivehalibut, nounham, nounhamburger, nounhaunch, nounhead table, nounhealth food, nounheart, nounhearty, adjectiveheat, nounherb, nounhigh tea, nounhome economics, nounhot dish, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveiceman, nounindigestible, adjectiveindigestion, nouninedible, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveingest, verbinn, nouninsipid, adjectiveintake, nounirradiate, verbjellied, adjectivejoint, nounjuice, nounjuicy, adjectivejunk, nounjunk food, nounknuckle, nounkosher, adjectivelaxative, nounlean, adjectiveleavings, nounleg, nounlight, adjectiveliquorice, nounlive, adjectiveloaf, nounlocker, nounloin, nounlotus, nounlukewarm, adjectivelump, nounlunch, nounlunch, verblunchbox, nounlunch break, nounluncheon, nounlunch hour, nounlunchroom, nounlunchtime, nounluscious, adjectivemace, nounMadeira cake, nounmain course, nounmaitre d', nounmaize, nounmandarin, nounmandarin orange, nounmangetout, nounmango, nounmaple syrup, nounmargarine, nounmarge, nounmarmalade, nounmarrow, nounmarshmallow, nounMason jar, nounmasticate, verbmature, adjectivemature, verbmeal, nounmealie, nounmealtime, nounmealy, adjectivemeat, nounmeat-packing, nounmeaty, adjectivemellow, adjectivementhol, nounmentholated, adjectivemenu, nounmess, nounmess, verbmess hall, nounmilk chocolate, nounmillet, nounmince, nounmint, nounmocha, nounmolasses, nounmoreish, adjectivemorsel, nounmouldy, adjectivemouth, nounmouthful, nounMSG, nounmunch, verbmung bean, nounmush, nounmushroom, nounmustard, nounnibble, verbnibble, nounnosh, nounnourish, verbnourishment, nounnugget, nounnut, nounnutcracker, nounnutshell, nounnutty, adjectiveoatmeal, nounoats, nounoffal, nounokra, nounon, prepositiononion, nounorder, nounoregano, nounorganic, adjectiveoverindulge, verboxtail, nounpackaging, nounpacker, nounpap, nounparcel, nounpaste, nounpastille, nounpastry, nounpatisserie, nounpearl barley, nounpectin, nounpeel, verbpeel, nounpepper, nounpepper, verbpeppercorn, nounpeppermint, nounperishable, adjectivepetit four, nounpiccalilli, nounpicnic, nounpicnic, verbpie, nounpilaff, nounpilau, nounpimento, nounpinto bean, nounpit, nounpizza parlor, nounpizzeria, nounplain chocolate, nounplain flour, nounploughman's lunch, nounpoor boy, nounpork, nounpork pie, nounpork rinds, nounporridge, nounporterhouse steak, nounportion, nounpostprandial, adjectivepotato, nounpotato crisp, nounpotted, adjectivepoultry, nounpraline, nounprawn, nounprepacked, adjectivepreservative, nounpreserve, verbpreserve, nounpretzel, nounprovision, verbprune, nounpuff pastry, nounpumpernickel, nounpumpkin, nounpuree, verbquince, nounQuorn, nounrabbit, nounrancid, adjectiverare, adjectiveravenous, adjectiveraw, adjectivered meat, nounreheat, verbrennet, nounrepast, nounreplete, adjectiverestaurant, nounrestaurant car, nounrestaurateur, nounrib, nounrice, nounrigatoni, nounrind, nounripe, adjectiveroadhouse, nounrock, nounroe, nounroll, nounroot vegetable, nounrose hip, nounrusk, nounrutabaga, nounsaccharin, nounsalad cream, nounsalad dressing, nounsalami, nounsalmon, nounsalsa, nounsalt, verbsalt, adjectivesalty, adjectivesandwich, nounsardine, nounsassafras, nounsatisfying, adjectivesatsuma, nounsauerkraut, nounsausage, nounscallion, nounscampi, nounscone, nounscoop, nounScotch broth, nounscratchings, nounseafood, nounseasoned, adjectiveseed, verbsemolina, nounservery, nounservice charge, nounserving, nounset, adjectiveshallot, nounshellfish, nounsherbet, nounshish kebab, nounshortbread, nounshortcake, nounshortcrust pastry, nounshoulder, nounshrimp cocktail, nounside order, nounsillabub, nounsimnel cake, nounsingle cream, nounsirloin, nounsitting, nounskimmed milk, nounskin, nounskin, verbslaw, nounslice, nounsliced bread, nounsloe, nounsloppy joe, nounsmorgasbord, nounsnack bar, nounsnow pea, nounsoda fountain, nounsodium chloride, nounsoft fruit, nounsorghum, nounsoul food, nounsour, adjectivesour, verbsourdough, nounsoya, nounsoya bean, nounspearmint, nounspinach, nounsponge, nounsponge cake, nounsponge pudding, nounspoon, verbspoonful, nounspotted dick, nounspread, nounspring onion, nounspring roll, nounsprout, nounspud, nounsquash, nounsquid, nounstaple, nounstarfruit, nounstarter, nounsteak, nounsteakhouse, nounsteak tartare, nounstew, nounstick, nounStilton, nounstir-fry, verbstodge, nounstone-ground, adjectivestrawberry, nounstring bean, nounstringy, adjectivestrudel, nounsub, nounsucrose, nounsuet, nounsugar, nounsugar, verbsugar-coated, adjectivesugar cube, nounsugar lump, nounsugary, adjectivesultana, nounsun-dried, adjectivesup, verbsupper, nounsustenance, nounswallow, verbswallow, nounswede, nounsweetcorn, nounsweetened condensed milk, nounsweetener, nounsweetmeat, nounsweet pepper, nounsweet potato, nounsyrup, nounsyrupy, adjectivetable d'hôte, nountaco, nountaffy, nountainted, adjectivetakeaway, nountakeout, nountangerine, nountapas, nountapioca, nountaramasalata, nountariff, nountart, nountartare sauce, nountaste, verbtasteless, adjectivetaster, nountasting, nountater, nountattie, nounT-bone steak, nountea, nounteacake, nountender, adjectivetin, nountinned, adjectivetitbit, nountoffee apple, nountofu, nountomato, nountongue, nountop, nountopping, nountop round, nountopside, nountop table, nountortilla, nountough, adjectivetransport cafe, nountreacle, nountrifle, nountripe, nountrotter, nountruck stop, nountruffle, nountub, nountuna, nounturkey, nounTurkish delight, nounturnip, nounturnover, nountutti frutti, nounTV dinner, nounTVP, noununadulterated, adjectiveunleavened, adjectiveunpalatable, adjectivevacuum-packed, adjectivevanilla, nounveal, nounvegan, nounvegetable, nounvegetarian, nounvegetarianism, nounveggie, nounvenison, nounvictual, verbvictuals, nounvoracious, adjectivevoucher, nounwaiter, nounwaitress, nounwalnut, noun-ware, suffixwarmed-over, adjectivewedge, nounwell, nounwell-done, adjectivewell-fed, adjectivewet fish, nounwheat, nounwhite, nounwhite flour, nounwhite pepper, nounwhite sauce, nounwholefood, nounwholemeal, adjectivewhole wheat, adjectivewiener, nounwild rice, nounwishbone, nounwrap, nounyeast extract, nounyoghurt, nounyogurt, nounyolk, nounyule log, nounyummy, adjectivezucchini, nounzwieback, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives
She rocked the cradle to quieten the child. the canyon’s impressive rock formations Oil prices have hit rock-bottom. bargain holidays at rock-bottom prices The frame is as solid as a rock (=extremely solid).
· Steps had been carved out of the solid rock.
(=not covered by soil)· Here there was only bare rock and gravel.
· The fossils are sandwiched between two layers of volcanic rock.
(=rock that is so hot it is liquid)· Molten rock flowed into these cracks.
rock + NOUN· There are marvellous views of impressive rock formations.
verbs· From the texture of the rock we can tell how it was formed.
(=it gradually removes the surface of the rock)· Rainwater drained away, forming streams and rivers that began to erode the rock.
(=its surface is gradually removed because of the action of water, wind etc)· The rocks had eroded away over the years.
phrases· His leg was trapped under a large lump of rock.
· You can see six layers of rock in the cliff.
(=a mass of rock that sticks up above the ground)· The gulls nested on a outcrop of rock.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· He’s the saxophonist in a jazz band.
(=moves from side to side in the water)· The little boat was rocking in the wind.
· There were 150,000 people at the rock concert in Frankfurt.
She rocked the cradle to quieten the child.· Jazz fans are in for a treat at this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival.
· He's appeared at folk festivals all over Europe.
the canyon’s impressive rock formations (=a garden with rocks that have plants growing between them)· She helped me choose plants for the rock garden.
· They’re one of the most exciting pop groups around at the moment.
Oil prices have hit rock-bottom.· Johnny Cash was one of country music’s greatest stars.
bargain holidays at rock-bottom prices (=make someone sleep by singing etc)· She was usually able to rock the baby back to sleep quite quickly.
The frame is as solid as a rock (=extremely solid).· Who’s your favourite pop star?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· One little plant grew at the foot of an old, bare rock.· The body that had been photographed with a definite cometary tail in 1949 was now a bare rock.· Most of Lewis is acid peat bog, and much of Harris bare rock.· It had taken three months to excavate down to the bare rock.· As the tank lurched away the shape ignited on a surface of bare rock, blasting it to pieces.· And if we examine the bare rock at the base of the grassy hill we discover carved spirals.· With so much tree growth over the years it is impossible to identify the bare rocks of the engraving.· But in places the bare rock is showing and the joints have been enlarged by chemical solution.
· It wasn't too bad in the quarry with its great walls of rock.· Nothing could be accomplished until a great wall of rocks and earth was thrown up to hold back the raging waters.· Clearly a great variety of rock types would result.· When all had been chopped off he disposed of the one that was immortal by burying it securely under a great rock.· There were great rocks on the road and thin mist seemed to cling to everywhere.· Her name was Gayelette, and she lived in a handsome palace built from great rocks of ruby.· Still, it's a magnificent place, perched on a great rock jutting out into the sea and with commanding views.· But Jason withstood the fearful creatures as a great rock in the sea withstands the waves.
· It is very difficult dealing with fractures and dislocations which have happened on fairly hard rock climbs.· Its overhanging walls provide a number of hard rock climbs.· They still play honest hard rock, but now it sounds fresher and has thousands of hard edges.· The harder rocks stand out as ledges, the softer ones form steep slopes.· In an area with such rapid changes in temperature as to erode hard rock into sand, soft shells would not have survived.· Erosion of hard rocks is usually very different.· Differential erosion of the rocks has resulted in the hard rocks being left as peaks separated by deeply eroded valleys and ravines.
· She felt as if she were lying naked on a hot rock, stretching languorously towards the sun.· This occurs because rifting of the lithosphere allows hot mantle rock to move towards the surface.· The Department of Energy estimates that 10 percent of our electricity could come from hot dry rock in 125 years' time.· The hot rocks technique holds out the best hope for exploitation of geothermal energy.
· Thus it is very well developed on fine-grained basic igneous and metamorphic rocks.· In the same way, the earmarks of igneous rocks are their mineralogy, textures, and structures.· These formed hard igneous rocks which have resisted erosion.· Though igneous rocks are not layered, as sediments are, they too have characteristics that place them in time.· Which are these hills of igneous rocks?· Many of these materials are what we would call igneous rocks if we were to find them on Earth.· Auger spectroscopy of igneous and metamorphic rocks has shown fine films of carbon covering grain boundaries.· Figure 3-17 shows graphically the division of igneous rocks according to their mineral content and their grain size.
· Thus it is very well developed on fine-grained basic igneous and metamorphic rocks.· The identification of a metamorphic rock depends largely on recognition of foliation and other textures.· The area also contains important sedimentary sequences, and the metamorphic rocks of the Dalradian Super-Group at the Highland Boundary.· That time has been shown to be appreciably later than the original formation of the rock for metamorphic and plutonic rocks.· Auger spectroscopy of igneous and metamorphic rocks has shown fine films of carbon covering grain boundaries.· Mostly granite and metamorphic rock, it has been heated, stirred and compressed for millions and sometimes billions of years.· Extensive areas within continental platforms are formed of basement, a complex of metamorphic and igneous rocks of Palaeozic or Precambrian age.· The same structural features, sometimes less easily recognized, are found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
· One little plant grew at the foot of an old, bare rock.· They now have rocks galore, probably the oldest rocks ever examined, sitting on their home territory.· The oldest Tertiary rocks contained archaic mammals that bore no resemblance to the living families within the class.· In the older Secondary rocks there seemed to be no mammals at all, only bizarre reptiles.· The oldest rocks found on the Earth's surface are about the same age as the youngest rocks found on the Moon.· This makes them the oldest rocks on the Moon.· At the bottom of the Grand Canyon the oldest rocks of all are exposed in a gorge lined with vertical cliffs.· Elsewhere old rock is swallowed up where plates come together.
· Her first adventures in the music business found her tiptoeing round the edges of punk rock.· A: I like punk rock.· It reminds me of when punk rock used to be somewhat threatening.
· There is already evidence that mining corporations are interested in probing beneath the sedimentary rocks to find new deposits.· Oil, gas, and coal, composed of organic carbon compounds, are found as economic deposits in sedimentary rocks.· It was formed by the heating and crushing of shale, a sedimentary rock which has hardened from mud.· On Earth, the deposit of sedimentary rock at the bottom of the ocean is part of larger geological cycles.· Limestone Any sedimentary rock consisting essentially of carbonates.· As the microcontinents collided, they piled up the sedimentary rock along their shores into mountain belts.· The sedimentary rocks, with their coal seams, have been folded and faulted.· But they did not connect their ideas to the much earlier extinctions recorded in sedimentary rocks.
· It was as solid as rock.· It marked the point where the solid rock of the mantle changed into molten iron.· Skipper Alan Kernaghan again led by example, with Nicky Mohan solid as a rock alongside him.· It was simply not admissible that something as blatantly solid as a rock could have come from the heavens.· From water level as you approach through the rock garden it looks like one solid rock barrier.· When the cofferdams were finished, the engineers turned to the next task-stripping the canyon abutments to expose fresh clean solid rock.· Mr Glen said the bypass would have to be blasted out of solid rock.· From above, the sandstone looks like solid rock, terminating at a 20-foot cliff.
· Most volcanic rocks contain some phenocrysts - they are a bit like the pips in raspberry jam.· But it has endured because it was constructed of brick and volcanic rock between 1783 and 1792.· RioFinex examined the Ordovician volcanic rocks of County Tyrone for base metals but found only minor intersections of low-grade copper mineralisation.· Warped and folded Paleozoic strata and reddish Tertiary volcanic rocks are capped with dark Quaternary basalt flows.· Thus the volcanic rocks formed are drastically different from their oceanic counterparts.· The important properties of these three principal volcanic rock groups can be summarized in simple tables.· These are frequently associated with volcanic rocks of oceanic type.· The codename was chosen because rhyolite is a volcanic rock containing colourful pieces of quartz set in a mass of crystals.
NOUN· And hard labour ... the railway navvies remembered by a rock band.· He went on to form one of the most successful rock bands in the world.· And it is the freak subversive genius of this record that makes them the single most important rock band of our time.· Indeed, he was both an amateur painter and a musician in a rock band that met at weekends.· Well-known acts with an ill-fitting country label now range from old-fashioned southern rock bands to pure folk singers.· No-one ever called the Clash a punk rock band.
· At the time, I thought one had hit rock bottom.· With her spirits at rock bottom, Fabia got ready for bed.· But this time he does seem to have hit rock bottom.· The 28-year-old mechanical engineer's fortunes took a dramatic twist midway through last season when his career hit rock bottom.· Resilience is highest at the beginning of the new school year and hits rock bottom in February.· Ogmore to Barry beach sport hit rock bottom.· For those keeping score, that's rock bottom in 6 of 10 categories.
· I went canoeing, rock climbing and abseiling.· Although largely unknown in Britain, Lafaille has an impressive rock climbing curriculum vitae.· The blatant placing of a bolt in a Lakeland mountain crag produced considerable reaction throughout the rock climbing fraternity.· Indeed, there is now little or none of the traditional progression or interweaving of rock climbing and other mountain activities.· Five star rating Outward Bound centre - canoeing, caving, rock climbing pony trekking etc.· On the way to the camp we passed a boulder where Tony and I competed for rock climbing idiot of the evening.· There she will put her courage and dexterity to the test rock climbing, abseiling, sea kayaking, and canoeing.· In summer tourists can go rock climbing or walking.
· Earlier, 150,000 people were at a rock concert in Frankfurt.· Think of rock concerts where they have those banks of giant speakers grouped together on the stage.· The typical kind of modern spectacle, like a modern rock concert, has reached its limits.· He is presently covering rock concerts for Kendal council who are hosting an exhibition of his work later in the year.· Match receipts slumped by £89,000 compared to 1991, but profits were boosted by staging two Simply Red rock concerts.· Large conventions are spectacular rock concerts are held in the 12,000 seat Arena.
· The path down to the beach was a precarious one, tiny steps hewn out of the sheer rock face.· The heat-seekers would be drawn by the steaming wound in the rock face, Defries realized; they'd ignore Daak.· The body in its shroud of ice stayed fixed to the rock face.· Steve had to fix a belay around a boulder while the porters lowered barrels, bags and sacks down the rock face.· Below the bushes lay a ledge and then a sheer rock face plunging forty feet to the clay-reddened lake.· Their nest was a bit like an overgrown wren's nest - a pile of moss fixed on to the rock face.· Soon he reached the top where the hills levelled out and stretched to the hard rock face of the towering cliffs.· Outside and in, the rock face has been transformed into a quarry for giant busts.
· Massive rock formations, mountains and deep canyons present splendid views of nature's work.· Rent a jeep to get out on to small tracks which uncover some beautiful waterfalls and rock formations.· Above: The distinctive rock formation of the Trinnacle, at Ravenstones.· Bernice was fascinated by rock formations.· Britain is geologically interesting because it contains many different rock formations containing a large range of metals.· The water was dark blue but in places dark green where underwater rock formations subtly changed the colour.· The valley has wooded slopes and attractive rock formations.· What you mainly see are stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations, excellent of their kind.
· They are bright and enchanting and look superb in a rock garden, at the front of a border or in pots.· From water level as you approach through the rock garden it looks like one solid rock barrier.· The initial approach starts right of centre and works diagonally left through the rock garden.· She would buy white wrought-iron pieces with delicate tracery, and set them there, by the rock garden.· Rare trees and shrubs, bluebells, rock garden. 3 wheelchairs available.· The smaller kinds of daffodils and tulips are ideally suited to the rock garden or dry bed.· Larch and spruce shelter nature's own rock garden with the forest floor carpeted with many species of wild flowers.· Best used alone rather than in mixed bedding, in rock gardens, containers, & clumps at front of borders.
· She was the lead singer in an all-girl rock group.· U2 are a four piece rock group stretching the possibilities of that line-up to the new and accessible levels.· Strawberry and the Sensations Strawberry and the Sensations are a rock group on tour.· The important properties of these three principal volcanic rock groups can be summarized in simple tables.· Painted red stars, rock groups wanted to march to the West.· You're a rock group so people get their rocks off.· U2 are not a politically and musically aggressive rock group, but they don't ignore morals or values.
· There is also the opportunity to see new places, another way of life and meet new friends: rock music tourism.· And rock music has to be like that.· Dublin's brand of rock music merges at times with traditional music, and the studios are used for both styles.· A grease-smeared youth answered the door, accompanied by a gust of rock music and an aroma of gravy.· Some one was playing rock music in the flat above and the faint throb hovered in the sitting-room.· It is in rock music, Wicke suggests, that this development is seen most clearly.· The rhythm of the rock music thumped relentlessly.· The collection was presented to the pounding beat of aggressive rock music.
· Unlike Sting, Dylan and Bowie, Waits has never looked like a rock star overreaching himself.· Two ageing rock stars in front made it look easy and Hebbert was fooled.· The club was mentioned in the ghosted autobiographies of countless rock stars.· One female rock star likened the feeling to the one some women have after giving birth - lets have another one.· Name the two famous rock stars who died in the crash with Buddy. 4. 4.· They'd go there after work for a drink and a few rock stars would turn up.· He would make rock star Phil Collins Minister for Arts.· His name and his music opened the new National Bowl, promoted now as a major venue for big rock stars.
VERB· The north Cornish coast is rocky, and climbing the rocks was a constant challenge and excitement.· To escape that potentially maddening scene, make like a monk and climb a rock.· He climbed out on the rocks to get a better look, but still he saw nothing.· This characteristic stems from the diversity of techniques required to climb the rock.· Two men climb the rock to check that all has been eaten and to clean it for the next burial.· The tide was high, so they could not climb on the rocks and breakwaters, or explore the caves.
· At the time, I thought one had hit rock bottom.· Demonstrators smashed in the face, hit with rocks.· The 28-year-old mechanical engineer's fortunes took a dramatic twist midway through last season when his career hit rock bottom.· A 5.4-magnitude earthquake hits southern Oregon, killing a motorist whose pickup was hit by falling rock.· Hello! has won a reputation as heralding disaster by featuring families apparently in bliss just before they hit the rocks.· The one guy drop-kicked him and another guy hit him with a rock.· It was immediately answered by another shot, which hit a rock behind him.
· The rock and roll global village.· Finished digging, hauling rocks, and rolling and cajoling them into place-last of north wall built.· On the verge of Connemara, we passed through a steep valley of rocks poised as if to roll down upon us.· Yet no one who knew the man disputes that Robey might well have knocked down the self-proclaimed king of rock & roll.· Only the tips of her tail-feathers were caught between the rocks as they rolled back together; and those were torn away.· This was more ambitious than mere rock & roll.
· For elaborate structures stick rocks together with silicone sealant, but let it cure completely before putting it into your tank water.· Walk gingerly over the rocks and sand. Stick to big rocks that would be difficult to dislodge.· A chaiselongue with missing castors, the walrus is stuck for ever on his rock.
· The crowd threw a few rocks and dispersed.· The watchdog would back off if you threw rocks at him.· The waves lifted the Forfarshire and threw it on to the rock, like a child playing with a toy.· Okay. Throw a rock at my window or something.· They, in turn, threw rocks and coins at him.· You could throw a rock from Paramount and it would land in Hollywood Memorial.· He threw a rock down it but you could not hear it strike the bottom ....· This is the same as when you throw a rock in a pool of water.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be (stuck) between a rock and a hard place► scotch/vodka etc on the rocksPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► something is the new rock 'n' roll► skip rocks/stones
1stone a)[uncountable] the hard substance that forms the main surface of the Earth: - I don't just want people to get their rocks off.
- You're a rock group so people get their rocks off.
- It was as solid as rock.
- It was simply not admissible that something as blatantly solid as a rock could have come from the heavens.
- Peter was as steady as a rock, keeping the ball on the fairway and hitting nearly every green in regulation.
- Skipper Alan Kernaghan again led by example, with Nicky Mohan solid as a rock alongside him.
- The door was solid as rock.
- His third marriage was on the rocks.
- There had been signs that their marriage was on the rocks for years.
- He was a good soldier, but his marriage was on the rocks.
- By four o'clock Melissa's spirits were at rock bottom.
- The money economy shook the foundations of a society composed mainly of lords and peasants.
- The thunder seemed to shake the foundations of the building.
- Yet even as the competition fades into the history books, something also seems to be shaking the foundations of capitalism.
- After we lost the contract, morale in the office reached rock bottom.
- Confidence in the city's police force has hit rock bottom.
- Joan Rivers reveals how she hit rock bottom and recovered in her autobiography.
- As a result, hotel values hit rock bottom in 1992.
- At the time, I thought one had hit rock bottom.
- But this time he does seem to have hit rock bottom.
- Ogmore to Barry beach sport hit rock bottom.
- The 28-year-old mechanical engineer's fortunes took a dramatic twist midway through last season when his career hit rock bottom.
To build the tunnel, they had to cut through 500 feet of solid rock. Most of the country is desert and bare rock. massive rock formations (=shapes made naturally from rock) ancient dark volcanic rock b)[countable] a piece of rock, especially a large one that sticks up from the ground: Jack stood on a rock for a better view. During the storm a ship had been driven onto the rocks (=a line of rocks under or next to the sea).2music [uncountable] (also rock music) a type of popular modern music with a strong loud beat, played using guitars and drumsrock band/group Komuro formed a rock band with some friends while in college. the late rock star, Freddie Mercury The stadium has hosted numerous rock concerts. → hard rock, → punk rock at punk(1)3(as) solid/steady as a rock a)very strongly built or well supported and not likely to break or fall: a large sofa, solid as a rock b)someone who is as solid or steady as a rock is very strong and calm in difficult situations and you can depend on them → rock-solid4[singular] someone who always gives you support and who you can depend on: My sister has always been my rock.5be on the rocks informal a relationship or business that is on the rocks is having a lot of problems and is likely to fail soon SYN in trouble: I’m afraid Tim’s marriage is on the rocks.6scotch/vodka etc on the rocks informal an alcoholic drink that is served with ice but no water7sweet food [uncountable] British English a hard sweet made in long round pieces: a stick of rock8drug a)[uncountable] a very pure form of the illegal drug cocaine that some people use for pleasure b)[countable] a small amount of this drug9be (stuck) between a rock and a hard place to have a choice between two things, both of which are unpleasant or dangerous10get your rocks off informal not polite if a man gets his rocks off, he has sex11jewel [countable usually plural] old-fashioned informal a diamond or other jewelCOLLOCATIONSadjectivessolid rock· Steps had been carved out of the solid rock.bare rock (=not covered by soil)· Here there was only bare rock and gravel.volcanic rock· The fossils are sandwiched between two layers of volcanic rock.molten rock (=rock that is so hot it is liquid)· Molten rock flowed into these cracks.rock + NOUNa rock formation· There are marvellous views of impressive rock formations.verbsrock forms/is formed· From the texture of the rock we can tell how it was formed.something erodes rock (=it gradually removes the surface of the rock)· Rainwater drained away, forming streams and rivers that began to erode the rock.rock erodes (away) (=its surface is gradually removed because of the action of water, wind etc)· The rocks had eroded away over the years.phrasesa lump/piece of rock· His leg was trapped under a large lump of rock.a layer of rock· You can see six layers of rock in the cliff.an outcrop of rock (=a mass of rock that sticks up above the ground)· The gulls nested on a outcrop of rock.THESAURUSrock a piece of the hard substance that forms the main surface of the Earth. In British English, rocks are too large to pick up, but in American English, they can either be large or small: · the rocks along the riverbanksstone a small piece of rock, found on the ground or near the surface of the ground. Speakers of American English are more likely to use the word rock than stone: · The children were throwing stones into the water.boulder a large round piece of rock: · She climbed over a few boulders at the edge of the sea.pebble a small smooth stone found especially on a beach or on the bottom of a river: · The beach was covered with smooth white pebbles.fossil a rock which has the shape of an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years ago: · fossils of early reptilesrock1 nounrock2 verb
rockrock2 ●○○ verb WORD ORIGINrock2
Origin:
Old English roccianVERB TABLE
rock
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | rock |
| he, she, it | rocks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | rocked |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have rocked |
| he, she, it | has rocked | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had rocked |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will rock |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have rocked |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am rocking |
| he, she, it | is rocking | |
| you, we, they | are rocking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was rocking |
| you, we, they | were rocking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been rocking |
| he, she, it | has been rocking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been rocking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be rocking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been rocking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Glenda sat beside the cradle, gently rocking it from side to side.
- The chair squeaked as I rocked back and forth.
- The company was rocked by massive changes in the computer business.
- The law firm was rocked by accusations of bribery and dishonesty.
- The scandal has rocked the banking world.
- Uncle Maury laughed until he was rocking back and forth.
- Waves from a passing freighter rocked the boat.
- Rob Rio and the Revolvers rocked while sequined and tuxedoed revelers danced amid a plethora of King Tut-like splendor.
- She rocked back and forth; her whimpers seemed to hold all the pain in the world.
- She rocked it roughly, loathing it, and the baby grew hysterical.
- The sound was shaking the roof and rocking the floor.
- They may soon be getting free bus passes but they know how to rock.
THESAURUS
to go to a different place, or change the position of your body: · Sarah moved away from the window.· Every time I move I get a pain in my left shoulder.
to move slowly from one side to the other: · The branches swayed in the wind.· Donny swayed drunkenly as he walked back to his car.
to move repeatedly from one side to another, with small gentle movements: · He rocked backward and forward in his chair.· The boat rocked from side to side with the waves.
to move unsteadily from side to side: · The bike wobbled a bit, but she soon got it under control.
to keep moving or playing with your fingers, hands, feet etc, because you are bored or nervous: · Diana fidgeted nervously with her pencil.
to make very small movements from side to side with your body, especially because you feel uncomfortable: · By the end of the hour, most of the children were squirming in their seats.
to make small movements from side to side, especially in order to get into or out of something: · The dog wriggled under the fence and escaped into the street.· She managed to wriggle into the dress, but it was much too tight.
if part of your body twitches, it makes small movements that you cannot control: · A muscle on Yang’s face twitched.
written to make a movement – used especially when describing a situation in which no one moves, or someone wakes up: · In the village a dog barked but no one stirred.· The sleeping child stirred and opened her eyes.
to move – used when you are trying hard to make something move, often without success: · The piano wouldn’t budge.
person if a person or part of their body shakes, they make small sudden continuous movements from side to side or up and down, especially because they are very frightened, cold, ill etc: · Suddenly he started to shake. ‘Don’t ever scare me like that again!’ he whispered.· The poor girl was shaking.
to shake for a short time, especially because you think of something very unpleasant, or because you feel frightened or cold: · Corbett shuddered when he thought of what might have happened to them.· I shuddered when I read the article.· He was still shuddering with the cold.· She clung to him, shuddering with emotion.
to shake slightly in a way that you cannot control, especially because you are frightened, worried, or angry: · Ernest opened the letter in silence, his hands trembling.· Her whole body trembled with fear.· He hadn’t dared to move. He was trembling with shock.· ‘I won’t be coming back,’ she said, her body trembling with anger.
to shake slightly, especially only a few times, because you are cold or frightened: · She shivered, pulling her coat closer around herself.· You make me shiver when you talk like that.
especially literary to shake slightly and continuously because you are very worried or excited – used especially about someone’s lips, mouth, or body: · Her bottom lip began to quiver, and she turned away to hide her tears.· Alice’s eyes began to fill with tears and her mouth quivered. ‘I 'm going away,’ she said.
to move unsteadily from side to side: · Mrs Hamilton wobbled precariously on her high heels.
to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side: · He rocked to and fro in his chair.
object/vehicle/the ground etc to move suddenly from side to side or up and down, usually with a lot of force: · The floor shook from a distant explosion.· The walls were still shaking.· The trees were shaking in the wind.
to shake and make a noise: · The windows rattled in the wind.· The train was rattling over the bridge.
to shake continuously with small fast movements: · The music was so loud that the whole room vibrated.· The atoms vibrate at different frequencies.
to move unsteadily from side to side: · The bike began to wobble alarmingly as she fought to control it.· The cup wobbled and he grabbed it to stop it from falling.
to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side: · The trailer rocked in the wind.· The boat was rocking from side to side with the waves.
(also judder especially British English) if a vehicle or machine shudders, it shakes for a short time.: · The lift shuddered then began to descend.· The engine shuddered into life (=it shook and then started working).· The car juddered to a halt (=it shook and then stopped) outside the house.
person if a person or part of their body shakes, they make small sudden continuous movements from side to side or up and down, especially because they are very frightened, cold, ill etc: · Suddenly he started to shake. ‘Don’t ever scare me like that again!’ he whispered.· The poor girl was shaking.
to shake for a short time, especially because you think of something very unpleasant, or because you feel frightened or cold: · Corbett shuddered when he thought of what might have happened to them.· I shuddered when I read the article.· He was still shuddering with the cold.· She clung to him, shuddering with emotion.
to shake slightly in a way that you cannot control, especially because you are frightened, worried, or angry: · Ernest opened the letter in silence, his hands trembling.· Her whole body trembled with fear.· He hadn’t dared to move. He was trembling with shock.· ‘I won’t be coming back,’ she said, her body trembling with anger.
to shake slightly, especially only a few times, because you are cold or frightened: · She shivered, pulling her coat closer around herself.· You make me shiver when you talk like that.
especially literary to shake slightly and continuously because you are very worried or excited – used especially about someone’s lips, mouth, or body: · Her bottom lip began to quiver, and she turned away to hide her tears.· Alice’s eyes began to fill with tears and her mouth quivered. ‘I 'm going away,’ she said.
to move unsteadily from side to side: · Mrs Hamilton wobbled precariously on her high heels.
to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side: · He rocked to and fro in his chair.
object/vehicle/the ground etc to move suddenly from side to side or up and down, usually with a lot of force: · The floor shook from a distant explosion.· The walls were still shaking.· The trees were shaking in the wind.
to shake and make a noise: · The windows rattled in the wind.· The train was rattling over the bridge.
to shake continuously with small fast movements: · The music was so loud that the whole room vibrated.· The atoms vibrate at different frequencies.
to move unsteadily from side to side: · The bike began to wobble alarmingly as she fought to control it.· The cup wobbled and he grabbed it to stop it from falling.
to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side: · The trailer rocked in the wind.· The boat was rocking from side to side with the waves.
(also judder especially British English) if a vehicle or machine shudders, it shakes for a short time.: · The lift shuddered then began to descend.· The engine shuddered into life (=it shook and then started working).· The car juddered to a halt (=it shook and then stopped) outside the house.
Longman Language Activatorto move from side to side to move slowly from one side to the other, especially in an irregular or uncontrolled way: · A light wind was making the branches sway.· Donny swayed drunkenly as he walked back to his car.sway from side to side: · The ski lifts were swaying alarmingly from side to side.
to move repeatedly from one side to another, with small gentle movements, or to make something do this: · Waves from a passing freighter rocked their boat.rock back and forth: · The chair squeaked as I rocked back and forth.· Uncle Maury laughed until he was rocking back and forth. rock from side to side: · Glenda sat beside the cradle, gently rocking it from side to side.
to move from side to side with long, usually regular movements: · We began the workout by swinging our arms.· The only sound was the creak of a sign swinging in the wind.swing shut/open: · Doors swung open and then shut as hospital porters pushed a patient down the corridor.swing from side to side: · The wooden bridge swung from side to side in a terrifying fashion.
when someone causes problems, especially deliberately to cause a problem, even if you do not intend to: · After a while, John started causing problems in class.· They have two good running backs who can cause problems for our team's defense.· A popular independent candidate could create problems for the Democrats by taking away votes.
to deliberately cause problems, especially by starting arguments or fights: · Don't give him another drink, or he'll start causing trouble.· Some of the demonstrators were determined to make trouble, whatever the police did.· It's not just gang members that cause trouble, it's middle- and upper-class kids too.
to deliberately cause problems and make it difficult for someone to do something, for example in order to punish them or persuade them to do something: · They can't actually stop us, but they could make life difficult.make life difficult for: · Some employers have made life difficult for employees who need time off for extended illnesses.
informal to deliberately treat someone badly and cause trouble for them, for example by criticizing them, complaining, or asking them a lot of difficult questions: · When I first came here everyone gave me a really hard time, because I was the first woman to run a department.give sb a hard time about: · My mother gave me a really hard time about Freddy. She couldn't stand him.
informal to cause problems by making changes in a situation that everyone else thinks is satisfactory: · We have a pretty good life here. Why rock the boat?· Judge Thurgood Marshall never hesitated to rock the boat, from the beginning of his long legal career.· A lot of people have a don't-rock-the boat mentality that stops them from complaining.
to make someone feel shocked to make someone feel very surprised and upset: · What really shocked me was that no-one seemed to care about all the beggars.it shocks somebody to see/realize/hear etc: · It shocked us to see how ill she looked.shock somebody into doing something: · I just felt I had to shock her into taking some action.shock somebody into something: · My father was shocked into silence.
if something unpleasant comes as a shock , it makes you feel surprised and upset because you were not expecting it at all: · I know this will come as a shock to you Ray, but try to understand how I feel.· The revelations of child abuse at the home have come as a profound shock to parents and social workers.
if something stuns you, especially a piece of news, it makes you feel so surprised and upset that you cannot speak or do anything immediately afterwards: · Sasha was too stunned by what had happened to say a word.· His words stunned her, and she stared at him in disbelief.
American informal if something unexpected knocks someone for a loop , it shocks or upsets them: · Joanna's resignation really threw me for a loop.· His next question totally knocked me for a loop. He said, "So what makes you think you're good enough to get into law school?"
if an unpleasant experience shakes someone up , they are shocked and upset by it: · Did that lightning shake you up, honey?· Katherine was one of the fairest people you could ever hope to meet, so her criticism really shook me up.
if a piece of news rocks a large group of people or an organization, it shocks them - used especially in news reports: · The scandal has rocked the banking world.· The law firm was rocked by accusations of bribery and dishonesty.
WORD SETSavalanche, nounaxis, nouncatchment area, nouncrater, noundinosaur, noundivide, nounelement, nounextinct, adjectivegallery, noungeo-, prefixgeophysics, nounglacial, adjectiveglaciation, noungoldfield, nounlandslide, nounlandslip, nounleach, verbmagnetic pole, nounmagnitude, nounmantle, nounmeteorite, nounmolten, adjectivemother lode, nounnatural history, nounonyx, nounopal, nounozone layer, nounpaleontology, nounpitchblende, nounPleistocene, adjectivePliocene, adjectiveprimeval, adjectivequake, verbquake, nounrarefied, adjectiverock, verbscour, verbshock wave, nounslide, nounsoapstone, nounstony, adjectivestream, nounstrip mine, nounsubcontinent, nounsubterranean, adjectivesuperficial, adjectiveterrain, nounterrestrial, adjectivetremor, nounundercurrent, nounvolcanic, adjectivevolcano, nounvortex, nounwater table, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY She covered her face, rocking to and fro in her grief. The waves rocked the boat from side to side. Jim rocked with laughter when he heard what had happened. The theory rocked the foundations of social and moral life.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She rocked the cradle to quieten the child. the canyon’s impressive rock formations Oil prices have hit rock-bottom. bargain holidays at rock-bottom prices The frame is as solid as a rock (=extremely solid).
She covered her face, rocking to and fro in her grief. The waves rocked the boat from side to side. Jim rocked with laughter when he heard what had happened. The theory rocked the foundations of social and moral life.· He’s the saxophonist in a jazz band.
(=moves from side to side in the water)· The little boat was rocking in the wind.
· There were 150,000 people at the rock concert in Frankfurt.
She rocked the cradle to quieten the child.· Jazz fans are in for a treat at this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival.
· He's appeared at folk festivals all over Europe.
the canyon’s impressive rock formations (=a garden with rocks that have plants growing between them)· She helped me choose plants for the rock garden.
· They’re one of the most exciting pop groups around at the moment.
Oil prices have hit rock-bottom.· Johnny Cash was one of country music’s greatest stars.
bargain holidays at rock-bottom prices (=make someone sleep by singing etc)· She was usually able to rock the baby back to sleep quite quickly.
The frame is as solid as a rock (=extremely solid).· Who’s your favourite pop star?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· The boat rocked gently of its own accord.· When I returned, Jett was sitting exactly as I'd left him, hugging himself and rocking gently to and fro.· She smelled the salt, and imagined the dock rocking gently to and fro.· It was a bleak sort of day, with occasional gusts of wind gently rocking the vehicle from side to side.· As he passed underneath, it rocked gently as if on invisible waves.· The boat was there, tied up and rocking gently to the swirl of the dark water inshore.· A giant wave approaches and gently rocks the ship.
NOUN· The boat rocked gently of its own accord.· In the water; the boats rocked at their moorings, their tuna towers swaying.· That sets the little boats rocking like crazy, like there's a sudden storm or summat.· You could have him lie on his tummy and pretend to be a boat, rocking back and forth.· The bows of the boat rocked as gently as a baby's cradle.· The boat might be rocked but it would not ship water.
· As a result, violent explosions rocked the vessel and led to its abandonment within an hour of the attack.· The shock of the explosion rocked the helicopter.· Witnesses reported at least one massive explosion, which rocked houses up to a quarter of a mile away.· They climbed to safety, and a moment later a tremendous explosion rocked the gorge.· Mortars and grenades pounded the area; 26 heavy explosions rocked the cellar.
· Burun had rocked back on to his heels.· He was rocking on his heels, watching Kathy sleep.
· Take laughing: I have only to titter and, in seconds, the Monster also is rocking with pretend laughter.· The performance had the legislature, including the subjects of the barbs, rocking with laughter.
· A man had his arm around her, rocking her from side to side as the singers swayed with their patriotic song.· The yacht rocked violently from side to side as the ship's wake came under them.· It was a bleak sort of day, with occasional gusts of wind gently rocking the vehicle from side to side.· The basket began rocking violently from side to side.
· The truth, when it is revealed, will rock this world upon its axis.· There are, however, remnants of the unexplained mystery that rocked the developed world of 1560.· Nobody has rocked my world, as the saying goes.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► rock a trend/look etc► rock somebody’s worldPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► something is the new rock 'n' roll► skip rocks/stones
1[intransitive, transitive] to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side, or to make something do this: - As long as you don't rock the boat, nobody cares what you do.
- Judge Thurgood Marshall never hesitated to rock the boat, from the beginning of his long legal career.
- We have a pretty good life here. Why rock the boat?
- Custom, practice and a tacit agreement not to rock the boat did the rest.
- If she didn't like it then it was her fault for rocking the boat.
- Injuries to Strachan and Sterland rocked the boat last year.
- Of course you rock the boat!
- Sixty percent of professors are moral cowards unwilling to rock the boat and therefore willing to tolerate the others.
- To refrain from rocking the boat.
- Waves from a passing freighter rocked the boat, Swensson says, throwing him to the deck.
- Who the hell would want to rock the boat on a deal like that!
- You rock.
- By four o'clock Melissa's spirits were at rock bottom.
- The money economy shook the foundations of a society composed mainly of lords and peasants.
- The thunder seemed to shake the foundations of the building.
- Yet even as the competition fades into the history books, something also seems to be shaking the foundations of capitalism.
- After we lost the contract, morale in the office reached rock bottom.
- Confidence in the city's police force has hit rock bottom.
- Joan Rivers reveals how she hit rock bottom and recovered in her autobiography.
- As a result, hotel values hit rock bottom in 1992.
- At the time, I thought one had hit rock bottom.
- But this time he does seem to have hit rock bottom.
- Ogmore to Barry beach sport hit rock bottom.
- The 28-year-old mechanical engineer's fortunes took a dramatic twist midway through last season when his career hit rock bottom.
She covered her face, rocking to and fro in her grief. The waves rocked the boat from side to side. Paul sat gently rocking the child in his arms. Jim rocked with laughter when he heard what had happened.► see thesaurus at move2[transitive] a)to make the people in a place or organization feel very shocked – used in news reports SYN shake: The scandal rocked the nation. b)to make the future of something seem less certain or steady than it was before, especially because of problems or changes SYN shake: Another financial blow has rocked the industry. The theory rocked the foundations of social and moral life.3rock the boat informal to cause problems for other members of a group by criticizing something or trying to change the way something is done: He kept his feelings to himself, not wanting to rock the boat.4[transitive] if an explosion or earthquake rocks an area, it makes it shake: Residents had only a few minutes to escape before the blast rocked their houses.5somebody/something rocks spoken informal said to show that you strongly approve of someone or something6rock somebody’s world informal to cause someone to think about something or someone in a completely new way7rock a trend/look etc to look good when wearing something fashionable – used especially in magazines: We'll tell you how to rock this season's hottest looks.