How do you say “Rock the boat” in French?

Both English and French rely on aquatic imagery to convey the idea of disturbing an otherwise stable or tranquil environment. While English warns against destabilizing the vessel ('rock the boat'), French focuses on the surface of the water, where any unwanted movement produces ripples ('faire des vagues'). Both expressions highlight how an individual's words or actions can disrupt the status quo for an entire collective.

In practice, both idioms appear overwhelmingly in negative constructions or cautionary contexts. In French workplaces, families, and administrative settings, the warning 'ne pas faire de vagues' or the nominal shorthand 'pas de vagues' is universally understood as a plea to maintain conformity, keep heads down, and avoid bringing controversial topics to light.