Meaning: To disturb a stable situation causing problems unnecessarily.
Hindi: स्थिति बिगाड़ना / गड़बड़ी पैदा करना
Synonyms: cause trouble, disrupt, stir things up, upset the balance
Asked in: SSC CPO 2023 T-2
rock the boat in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2023 T-2 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Rock the boatAnswer & explanation
Answer: D) disturb a stable situation
Solution
Meaning of the idiom:
“Rock the boat” means to disturb a stable situation or to cause trouble where things were going smoothly.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• Divert someone’s attention – unrelated to stability of a situation.
• Overcome a difficult situation – opposite in meaning (resolving rather than upsetting).
• Pester and irritate someone – relates to annoyance, not the broader context of disrupting harmony.
Correct meaning: disturb a stable situation.
Examples
- “He didn't want to rock the boat by raising the issue at the meeting.”
rock the boat – questions
What is the meaning of rock the boat in Hindi?
rock the boat means “स्थिति बिगाड़ना / गड़बड़ी पैदा करना” in Hindi. In English: To disturb a stable situation causing problems unnecessarily.
What are the synonyms of rock the boat?
Synonyms of rock the boat: cause trouble, disrupt, stir things up, upset the balance.
Has rock the boat been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – rock the boat has been asked 2 times in SSC exams: SSC CPO 2023 T-2.