rocking the boat
Disturbing the peace
Rocking the boat means disturbing a stable situation or causing trouble by challenging the status quo.
The image is of someone literally shifting in a small vessel, threatening to capsize everyone: Don't rock the boat—we've finally got the project on track.
Usually appears as a warning against making waves when things are going smoothly.
- making wavesCausing noticeable disruption
- cause a stirCreate noticeable commotion
- questionRequest for information
- call into questionExpress skepticism about something
- agitateDisturb or provoke
confront · disrupt · challenge · dissent · disturb · nonconformity · break the mold · intervene · upset · raise hell · unsettle · defiance · go against the grain · troublemaker · pushback · whistleblower · transformation · activism
rocking the boatgoing along to get along
Conforming to maintain relationships
toeing the line · keeping the peace · going with the flow · conforming · playing it safe
rocking the boatkeeping quiet
Remaining silent
biting one's tongue · keeping mum · saying nothing · looking the other way · turning a blind eye
rocking the boatplaying it safe
Avoiding unnecessary risk
hedging one's bets · erring on the side of caution · keeping a low profile · laying low · flying under the radar
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