split on a rock
To completely fail in one's attempt
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Our business project split on a rock after the funding disappeared.”
“The team worked for months, but the entire plan split on a rock when the main investor withdrew.”
“Despite their meticulous preparation and high expectations, the ambitious diplomatic mission split on a rock during the final round of negotiations.”
- 01
hit rock bottom
To reach the lowest possible state in one's life.
- 02
hit the rocks
To reach a low point in one's pursuits.
- 03
kick rocks
To leave or run away; to skedaddle; to waste one's own time (with some other meaningless task) rather than waste the speaker's time with something equally irritating or pointless. (often used imperatively and dismissively).
- 04
make like a banana and split
To leave, depart.
- 05
painting rocks
pointless or futile work organised by the government, supposedly to increase employment but in fact merely disguising the unemployment level.
- 06
piffy on a rock bun
A person ignored or sidelined from an activity
- 07
rock bottom
The very lowest possible level.
- 08
rock hound
A person who collects rocks and minerals from the natural environment as a hobby.
Last updated August 10, 2026