rock the boat

Idioms  

1. Disturb a stable situation, as in An easygoing manager, he won't rock the boat unless it's absolutely necessary. This idiom alludes to capsizing a small vessel, such as a canoe, by moving about in it too violently. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Among those perceived flaws was an addictive personality, a stormy temper and, yes, a desire to “not rock the boat,” as she puts it.

From Los Angeles Times

Esther wishes she had made a formal complaint at the time, but says she did not because he was an important author, and she didn't want to rock the boat.

From BBC

Rather than rock the boat in times of trouble, Walter has practiced patience when it comes to personnel decisions.

From Los Angeles Times

“Right now I might say, ‘We don’t rock the boat, let’s not go to Toronto and Montreal.’

From Los Angeles Times

Fabian remains a conundrum — is he just a “don’t rock the boat” ladder-climber or is it more sinister?

From Los Angeles Times