Don't rock the boat

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Meaning

To avoid stirring trouble or change, keeping things steady.

Origin

From 20th-century America, tied to boats; rocking risked a dunk, slang by 1914 for calm. A 1920 'New York Times' uses it for a steady vote.

Usage Examples

  • Don't rock the boat; just agree for now.
  • He didn't rock the boat during the tense meeting.
  • Don't rock the boat; we're finally stable.

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