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

“No, you were right. I was being really negative because it made it easier to leave if I hated Churchill, you know? And I didn’t want to rock the boat,” said George.

From Literature

“The supply shocks from either would already rock the boat; both together would capsize global markets like a perfect storm,” said Raj.

From MarketWatch

“The supply shocks from either would already rock the boat; both together would capsize global markets like a perfect storm,” said Raj.

From MarketWatch

What is clear is that London City are not here to make friends, they are here to rock the boat and are planning big things for the future.

From BBC

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