ON THE ROCKS Definition & Meaning

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on the rocks

Served over ice only, as in He always drinks whiskey on the rocks . The “rocks” here are the ice cubes. [Mid-1900s]
Destitute, bankrupt, as in Can I borrow next month's rent? I'm on the rocks . This usage, from the late 1800s, is heard more often in Britain than America.
Ruined, spoiled, as in Six months after the wedding, their marriage was on the rocks . This expression, alluding to a ship running aground on rocks and breaking apart, has been used figuratively for other disasters since the late 1800s.

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Example Sentences

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Up ahead, Inganess was quiet apart from the odd dog walker and a child playing on the rocks as a couple looked on.

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“Hanukkah on the Rocks” airs on the Hallmark Channel Dec. 22, 26 and 31.

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In what is perhaps a sidelong reference to the film itself, when Hanukkah on the Rocks takes off — for so Rocky’s has been temporarily named — Stacy declares, “Everyone’s saying they’ve seen this kind of thing for Christmas, but never for Hanukkah. It’s already all over Instagram!”

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Hegseth certainly seems to believe his nomination is on the rocks, and not in a "10th whiskey at a Louisiana strip club" way.

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He is, however, very hungry and quickly orders sparkling water, a Macallan 12-year-old Scotch on the rocks, and some chips with guacamole.

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