rock

Universal Words noun, verb noun hard material 1 [U,C] the hard solid material that forms part of the surface of the earth and some other planets: They drilled through several layers of rock to reach the oil. * a collapsed sea cave with striking rock formations (= shapes made naturally from rock) * The tunnel was blasted out of solid rock. * volcanic / igneous / sedimentary rocks 2 [C] a mass of rock standing above the earth's surface or in the sea/ocean: the Rock of Gibraltar * The ship crashed into the infamous Sker Point rocks and broke into three pieces. 3 [C] a large single piece of rock: They clambered over the rocks at the foot of the cliff. * The sign said 'Danger: falling rocks'. stone 4 [C] (AmE) a small stone: Protesters pelted the soldiers with rocks. music 5 (also rock music) [U] a type of loud modern music with a strong beat played on electric guitars and drums: hard / punk rock * a rock band / star sweet / candy 6 (BrE) (AmE rock candy) [U] a type of hard sweet/candy made in long sticks, often sold at holiday/vacation RESORTS (= towns) by the sea/ocean: a stick of Brighton rock jewel 7 [C,usually pl.] (AmE, informal) a jewel, especially a diamond IDIOMS (caught / stuck) between a rock and a hard place in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant on the rocks 1 a relationship or business that is on the rocks is having difficulties and is likely to fail soon: Sue's marriage is on the rocks. 2 (of drinks) served with pieces of ice but no water: Scotch on the rocks moreatSTEADYadj. verb move gently 1 [usually +adv./prep.] to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side; to make sb/sth move in this way: [V] The boat rocked from side to side in the waves. * She was rocking backwards and forwards in her seat. * [VN] He rocked the baby gently in his arms. shock 2 [VN] [oftenpassive] (written) to shock sb/sth very much or make them afraid: The country was rocked by a series of political scandals. * The news rocked the world. shake 3 to shake or to make sth shake violently: [V] The whole house rocked when the bomb exploded. * [VN] The town was rocked by an earthquake. * (figurative) The scandal rocked the government (= made the situation difficult for it). dance 4 [V] (old-fashioned) to dance to ROCKMUSIC IDIOMS rock the boat (informal) to do sth that upsets a situation and causes problems: She was told to keep her mouth shut and not rock the boat. moreatFOUNDATION