on the rocks

1. 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.

2. Served over ice only, as in He always drinks whiskey on the rocks . The “rocks” here are the ice cubes. [Mid-1900s]

3. 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.

Example Sentences

Standing on the rocks above the robot was a wild ram.

Read more on Literature

Sunbathers relaxed on the rocks.

Read more on Literature

She was entranced by a man who could win and lose big at blackjack without missing the chance to order another round of J&B on the rocks for himself and Harvey Wallbangers for her: “You’ll like it, baby. It’s sweet.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mexico’s economy was already on the rocks when the U.S. president began issuing tariff threats, spooking overseas investors who once viewed Mexico as a pipeline to move products into the U.S. tax-free.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While the decision is debated, scientists are desperate to get their gloved hands on the rocks.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bankrupt 
• exhausted 
• impoverished 
• indigent 
• insolvent 
• needy 
• penniless 
• poor 
• poverty-stricken 
• strapped