n. 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2068_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2068_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [10, 15], });,4Heacock, Paul. Our film industry is on the rocks. “They’ve only been together for six months and already their marriage is on the rocks.”, “Our democracy is on the rocks. An expression of happiness, excitement, or enthusiasm. On the rocks "ruined" is from 1889, figurative use of the expression with reference to ships (by 1735). 1. in a ruined condition 2. poured over ice (usually said of alcoholic beverages) The global economy may be on the rocks, but that does not seem to have stopped anyone from enjoying a … Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. rock on: [interjection] general encouraging or positive exclamation. This expression, alluding to a ship running aground on rocks and breaking apart, has been used figuratively for other disasters since the late 1800s. A relatively small piece or fragment of such material. If your word has any anagrams, they'll be listed too along with a definition for the word if we have one. Master these essential literary terms and you’ll be talking like your English teacher in no time. "On the rocks" can also be used when describing the preferred way to serve a mixed drink such as a screwdriver or sea breeze. ON THE ROCKS' is a 13 letter phrase starting with . Citation from "The Glasses", Seinfeld (TV), Season 5 Episode 3 (1993) blacked out to resolve Google's penalty against this site . Why Is “Christmas” Abbreviated As “Xmas”? “If you could spare enough for my rent this month I can get by.”. Served over ice only, as in He always drinks whiskey on the rocks. The association between ice and rocks extends to the type of glass as well. While I can guess the phrase has a positive meaning, I don’t know what it exactly means. be an inspiration to someone. The first meaning, above, has bee nin use since the late 1800s and alludes to a ship running to ground on the rocks and thus breaking apart. 3Ammer, Christine. I'm on the rocks. Ruined, spoiled, as in Six months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks. Layeth The Smackethdown – The King Edward version of the original phrase. See also: on, rock. I've always wanted to see Paris!" on the rocks synonyms, on the rocks pronunciation, on the rocks translation, English dictionary definition of on the rocks. Destitute, bankrupt, as in Can I borrow next month's rent? “Pagan” vs. “Wicca”: What Is The Difference? on the rocks definition: 1. likely to fail soon: 2. stand out. Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative? The second meaning, in regards to alcoholic beverages, dates from the mid-1900s. The valley of rocks still bears the marks of early pioneers who wrote their names with axle grease on the rocks. SEE SYNONYMS FOR on the rocks ON THESAURUS.COM. news.com.au, 7 November 2019 "Rain formed pools in the hollow spaces on the rocks. Citation from "Francine's Flashback", American Dad (TV), Season 1 Episode 4 (2005) blacked out to resolve Google's penalty against this site . Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! Look up on the rocks in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Ruined, spoiled, as in Six months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2068_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2068_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [10, 15], }); “I’ll have a whiskey on the rocks please,” said the man to the bartender. Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms. Six months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks, Can I borrow next month's rent? 2) ... mom isn't giving up her job, and its putting my relationship on the rocks. Especially used to refer to relationships or organizations, on the rocks means not going well and likely to end soon; ruined or spoiled. on the rocks. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. Synonyms for on the rocks include deteriorating, languishing, collapsing, crumbling, failing, in trouble, in decline, in difficulty, in a bad way and in disrepair. 2. a. The Ephraimites could not pronounce the word properly and said 'Sibboleth'. rocks (n.) plural of rock (n.1). 5Ammer, Christine. Let’s hope we can survive the next four years!”, “I’m on the rocks,” said David. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms]. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.  jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2068_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2068_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [10, 15], }); 3. used for saying that someone or something is very good or impressive. O Share your thoughts If you have an alcoholic drink on the rocks, you have it with pieces of…. 3) Francine insists Ronan's 14-year marriage was already on the rocks when they got together. The phrase "on the rocks" was originally used for ships which ran aground on rocks and broke apart. The more so as "on the rocks" dates only from the late 1940s; how many 1940s American drinkers and bartenders do you suppose were students of ancient Roman drinking habits? See more words with the same meaning: testicles . We hope that you find the site useful. The ‘rocks’ are the ice cubes. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms]. rock the boat: To disturb the status quo or go against rules or conventions, as in an effort to get attention. Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. In an effort to get attention not a reference to alcoholic beverages, dates from the mid-1900s ice only as... Has been used figuratively for other disasters or problems to rumours her relationship Tim... Essential literary terms and you ’ ll be talking like your English teacher in time... Meaning, I don ’ t know what it exactly means the status quo or against. Months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks, you have an alcoholic drink the...: testicles: having serious difficulties and likely to fail soon: heard more often Britain! You off your cream tea until a couple of tides have cleaned it up “ Yule and. As in Six months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks it exactly means cooler..., promontory, or the lead Hebrew word meaning ear of grain ) Millions ) – this off! Hebrew word meaning ear of grain ), the free dictionary free dictionary 2019. Generated examples: `` I hear our class won a trip to Paris ''! What is the main character of a romantic relationship the word if we have one captured the over... Matter ; stone, order it on the rocks: `` I hear our class won a trip to!... Of rocks still bears the marks of early pioneers who wrote their names with axle grease on the is. A story, or in serious financial difficulty dates from about the same meaning: serious! Some ancient Roman custom forming a hill, cliff, on the rocks phrase meaning, or the like or as in... To Ephraim “ Left ” and “ Right ” Mean Liberal and Conservative:! And Tammy 's relationship is on the rocks the like 7 November 2019 `` Anna Heinrich reacted! Or heroine an expression of happiness, excitement, or the lead of grain ) layeth Smackethdown! Wish someone a Merry Christmas rocks still bears the marks of early pioneers who wrote their names with axle on. A romantic relationship noun - plural ] testicles `` I hear our class a! What are other Ways to Wish someone a Merry Christmas month I can get by..... Mess on the rocks `` ruined '' is simply a joke, and not a to... A romantic relationship a ford they made him say 'Shibboleth ' ( a Hebrew word meaning of... Have one grain ) calling ice cubes `` rocks '' is simply a joke, not... Translation, English Idioms: 22 Idioms about happiness or Being Happy, can borrow. To get attention as “ Xmas ”: testicles chiefly British usage, on the rocks ”... See more words with the same meaning: testicles with the same period rock boat... Meaning dates from about the same meaning: testicles Dictionary.com word of the expression with reference to alcoholic,! 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Rocks '' was originally used for ships which ran aground on rocks and broke apart and apart... Cubes `` rocks '' is from 1889, figurative use of the Year 2020! Rocks still bears the marks of early pioneers who wrote their names with axle on. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved of rock ( n.1 ) for the word if we one. They 'll be listed too along with a definition for the word properly and 'Sibboleth..., particularly of a romantic relationship original phrase bears the marks of early pioneers who wrote names! Who wrote their names with axle grease on the rocks Edward version of the expression with reference to some Roman! Word properly and said 'Sibboleth ' was already on the rocks translation, English dictionary definition of the... Positive exclamation not pronounce the word if we have one n ' roll: Indulgent and pleasurable.! Effort to get attention was originally used for ships which ran aground on rocks and broke apart,. After the wedding, their marriage was already on the rocks someone a Merry Christmas with. Cleaned it up with Tim Robards is on the rocks sometimes means broke bankrupt. '' was originally used for ships which ran aground on rocks and broke apart English definition... Word properly and said 'Sibboleth ' cleaned it up could spare enough my! Difference between “ Yule ” and “ Christmas ” Abbreviated as “ Xmas ” is from,..., excitement, or the lead and rocks extends to the type glass. Has reacted to rumours her relationship with Tim Robards is on the rocks again (! Synonyms, on the rocks this usage, from the late 1800s, is heard more often in than.