on the rocks
"on-the-rocks" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“on the rocks” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a prep_phrase. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 12
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - Poured over ice, usually in reference to alcoholic drinks.
Corpus desk
Index EN-on-the-rocks · on the rocks · English
on the rocks · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables
- FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
- LEN-MEGA 12 letters
- VOW-3 3 vowels
- CONFUS-0 No pairs
- VAR-0 0 variants
- BOOK-THIN "O" thin
- PHOTO-UNK Peer pending
Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern
Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | on the rocks |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Prep_phrase |
| Letters | 12 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Long-tail rank of “on the rocks” in English
Rare enough to double-check
on the rocks is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as aprep_phrase. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.
We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for on the rocks, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.
Etymologically, the entry records: From the allusion of a ship running aground against rocks and breaking apart. The poured over ice sense is due to ice's resemblance to rocks. The correct English form is on the rocks, spelled O-N- -T-H-E- -R-O-C-K-S.
Definition
- 1Poured over ice, usually in reference to alcoholic drinks.
- 2In a bad state; experiencing difficulties or at risk of failing.
Recorded use
Wiktionary examplesThese source excerpts show how on the rocks appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.
I'll have a whisky on the rocks.
I knew my business was on the rocks, so I started considering going into voluntary bankruptcy.
Etymology
From the allusion of a ship running aground against rocks and breaking apart. The poured over ice sense is due to ice's resemblance to rocks.
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.