Language Research

boat · noun C

/boʊt/Full view

boat

A1 a vehicle for traveling on water

Dictionary examples:

a fishing boat

Are you going by boat?

Learner example:

We can go there by boat. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

rock the boat

C2 to do or say something that changes a situation in a way that causes problems

Dictionary example:

They seemed very happy and I didn't want to rock the boat.

Learner example:

But let's not rock the boat. Our preposterous cravings and wishes might become our [down]fall. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

be in the same boat

C2 to be in the same unpleasant situation as other people

Dictionary example:

She complains that she doesn't have enough money, but we're all in the same boat.

Learner example:

Unemployment and its consequences is still a major problem. Now we are in the same boat. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

miss the boat

C2 to be too late to do or get something

Dictionary example:

I'm afraid you've missed the boat. All the concert tickets have been sold.

Learner example:

What if she never had another chance? What if she missed the boat? Overcome by the anxiety and the lack of sleep, the first thing she did in the morning was to pick up two of her best poems [and] put them in an envelope. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)