skyrocket

plural skyrockets

1. A type of firework that uses a solid rocket engine to rise quickly into the sky where it emits a variety of effects such as stars, bangs, crackles, etc.

   Synonyms: maroon

2. broadlyA rebuke, a scolding.
3. AustraliaUKslangA pocket.

present singular third person skyrockets · participle present skyrocketing · participle past skyrocketed · past skyrocketed

1. idiomaticinformalintransitiveTo rise or increase suddenly and extremely; to shoot up; to surge or spike.

   The shortage caused prices to skyrocket.

   5 more examples

   Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.

   2013 March 28, David S. Senchina, “Athletics and Herbal Supplements”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, archived from the original on 16 May 2013, page 134

   A new study finds that the number of Americans being diagnosed with opioid addiction continues to skyrocket, but still very few receive any treatment.

   2017 June 29, Nadia Kounang, “Opioid addiction rates continue to skyrocket”, in CNN, Atlanta, Ga.: Warner Bros. Discovery

   Executives from three hospitals across the country detailed their dire fiscal conditions on a conference call Saturday hosted by the American Hospital Association. This may force some to close their doors just as the need for care skyrockets amid the pandemic.

   2020 March 21, Tami Luhby, “Hospitals press for $100 billion in Congressional stimulus package”, in CNN, Atlanta, Ga.: Warner Bros. Discovery

   Her career skyrocketed to new heights with the debut of her years-long Las Vegas residencies.

   2022 October 5, Lauren Harby, “What We Know About Celine Dion's Health Battle”, in The List

   The cost of keeping historic machinery operational has skyrocketed.

   2024 April 3, Richard Foster, “Training the next generation of engineers”, in RAIL, number 1006, page 51

2. idiomaticinformaltransitiveTo cause to increase suddenly and extremely.

   This is an area you'll have to work out in precise detail, as it's the area most likely to skyrocket your costs—or, without careful planning, leave you with thirsty guests.

   2014, Carrie Denny, The Bride's Instruction Manual, page 117