rock the boat
Disturb the equilibrium
To rock the boat is to disturb a stable situation or challenge the status quo, especially when others prefer to avoid conflict: She didn't want to rock the boat by questioning the policy.
The image is of someone literally destabilizing a small vessel, endangering everyone aboard.
Usually appears in warnings or negatives: Don't rock the boat.
- make wavesCause a disturbance
- stir the potDeliberately create or prolong conflict
- cause a stirCreate noticeable commotion
- ruffle feathersTo annoy or disturb
- agitateDisturb or provoke
upset · upset the apple cart · kick up a fuss · speak out of turn · dissent · complain · raise Cain · disturbance · shake things up · defiance · go against the grain · push the envelope · buck the trend · rebel · nonconformity · swim upstream · revolt · disruption
- Nautical Idiomsbatten down the hatches, all hands on deck, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, know the ropes
- sea idiomsall at sea, dead in the water, smooth sailing, sink or swim, make waves
- Cause a stirmake waves, stir the pot, raise eyebrows, ruffle feathers, shake things up
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- social conformityconformist, peer pressure, herd mentality, groupthink, follow the crowd
- travel idiomshit the road, end of the road, crossroads, smooth sailing, take the wheel
rock the boatgo with the flow
Accept situations without resistance
conform · toe the line · fall in line · keep the peace · acquiesce
rock the boatplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
err on the side of caution · hedge your bets · sit on the fence · keep a low profile · fly under the radar
rock, boat, rocks, boating, boats, rocking, rocked, rocker, boatman