on the rocks
Meaning: Unstable; likely to collapse. When referring to alcoholic beverages, it means with ice cubes.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Nature
Origin: The expression is often used to describe a long-term relationship or a marriage (sentence 1), but it can also describe a non-romantic relationship (sentence 2). The expression originates with the image of a ship that has been cast against the rocks and is about to break up. When the expression means "with ice" (as in sentence 3), the ice cubes in the glass are being compared to rocks.
More idioms — Nature
- skate on thin ice — In an unsafe or risky position.
- out of a clear blue sky — Without warning.
- play with fire — To invite disaster by doing something foolish, dangerous, or risky.
- see which way the wind blows — To determine what stance to take based on what others want, even though such actions or w…
- shoot the breeze — To chat or to pass time by chatting; to talk idly.
- stick-in-the-mud — Someone who is seen as never wanting to take part in fun activities.
More English idioms
- take someone a rain check — To accept a different time for an appointment from the original one; to request that an a…
- take something by storm — To overwhelm someone or something, often by becoming famous quickly (sentence 1), or by s…
- take the wind out of someone's sails — To deflate someone's ego (sentence 1) or to ruin or destroy someone's high expectations (…
- too many irons in the fire — Too many activities demanding one's time.
- turn over a new leaf — To change one's bad ways and begin to lead a better life.
- under a cloud — Less than entirely trustworthy; suspected of some wrongdoing.
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