Difference between In dock and In the dock

in dock —(also: in dry dock)

1. (of a ship) berthed in harbor (waiting to be repaired, etc.):

• The Sally Brown is in dock to discharge her cargo.

2. (coll., of a person) inactive (unemployed, in the hospital, etc.):

• June found herself in dry dock when her services were most in demand.

in the dock—

1. on trial in a court of law:

• I can’t bear to see a woman in the dock—butterfly on the wheel.

2. = in dock 1:

• He supplied the staging necessary to enable the outside of the vessel to be painted when in the dock.