rocket1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈrɒkɪt/

noun

  • 1a cylindrical projectile that can be propelled to a great height or distance by the combustion of its contents, used typically as a firework or signal.
  • (also rocket engine or rocket motor) an engine that operates by the combustion of its contents, providing thrust as in a jet engine but without depending on the intake of air for combustion.
  • an elongated rocket-propelled missile or spacecraft: [as modifier]: a rocket launcher
  • used to refer to a person or thing that moves very fast or to an action that is done with great force: she shot out of her chair like a rocket
  • 2 [in singular] British informal a severe reprimand: he got a rocket from the Director

verb (rockets, rocketing, rocketed)

  • 1 [no object] (of an amount, price, etc.) increase very rapidly and suddenly: sales of milk in supermarkets are rocketing (as adjective rocketing) rocketing prices
  • [with adverbial of direction] move very rapidly: [no object]: he rocketed to national stardom [with object]: she showed the kind of form that rocketed her to the semi-finals last year
  • 2 [with object] attack with rocket-propelled missiles: the city was rocketed and bombed from the air

Phrases

rise like a rocket (and fall like a stick)

rise suddenly and dramatically (and subsequently fall in a similar manner): the firm worries that, after rising like a rocket, exports could drop like the stick

Origin:

early 17th century: from French roquette, from Italian rocchetto, diminutive of rocca 'distaff (for spinning)', with reference to its cylindrical shape