rock

rock1 [ rak ] noun ***

1. ) uncount the hard solid substance that forms part of the Earth's surface:

Rain water flows through soil and porous rock to reach underground streams.

We had to dig down through a twelve-inch layer of rock.

a ) count a large piece of stone lying on the ground:

She ran over the fallen rocks toward him.

b ) count AMERICAN a small stone:

Protesters threw rocks at the police.

c ) count a large piece of stone that rises up from the ground or from under the ocean:

a castle built on a big rock

d ) rocks plural a group of rocks along the edge of the land or under the surface of the ocean:

The waves crashed against the rocks.

2. ) rock or rock music uncount ROCK MUSIC:

a rock star

rock concerts

3. ) count VERY INFORMAL a jewel, especially a DIAMOND

be (caught/stuck) between a rock and a hard place

to be in a position in which you have to choose between two things that are not good

get your rocks off IMPOLITE

to have sex

on the rocks

1. ) if a business or relationship is on the rocks, it is having serious difficulties and is likely to fail soon:

His marriage is on the rocks.

2. ) if an alcoholic drink is served on the rocks, it is served with ice:

scotch on the rocks

─ compare NEAT, STRAIGHT 2

solid as a rock

1. ) very reliable or calm

2. ) very strong and not likely to break

rock

rock 2 [ rak ] verb *

▸ 1 move gently

▸ 2 shock or frighten

▸ 3 shake something violently

▸ 4 dance to rock music

▸ 5 be impressive

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) intransitive to move backward and forward or from side to side in a gentle way:

He sat rocking in his seat and staring out of the window.

Hold your knees close to your chest and rock from side to side.

a ) transitive to make someone or something move backward and forward or from side to side in a gentle way:

She rocked the child in her arms.

2. ) transitive MAINLY JOURNALISM to shock, surprise, or frighten someone:

Spain has been rocked by another political scandal.

3. ) transitive if an explosion or EARTHQUAKE rocks something, it makes it shake violently:

The blast rocked the houses in the street.

a ) intransitive if something rocks, it shakes violently as a result of an explosion or EARTHQUAKE:

The building's foundation rocked beneath us.

4. ) intransitive INFORMAL to play or dance to ROCK MUSIC

a ) be rocking if a place is rocking, it is full of people dancing in a lively way

5. ) intransitive SPOKEN used for saying that someone or something is very good or impressive:

That new Pacino movie rocks!

rock the boat INFORMAL

to cause problems by changing a situation that is considered satisfactory:

I realize I'm new here and I don't want to rock the boat.