Abandon a failing enterprise before it is too late. For example, After seeing the company's financial statement, he knew it was time to desert a sinking ship. This metaphoric expression alludes to rats, which leave a vessel when it founders in a storm or runs aground so as to escape drowning. It was transferred to human behavior by about 1600.
desert a sinking ship
| Idioms: desert a sinking ship |
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 | desert (Idiom) |
| ship (Idiom) |
| sink (Idiom) |
 | How does a ship sink? Read answer... |
| Why are ships are no sinking while they are in the sea? Read answer... |
| Loose lips sink ships when was it? Read answer... |
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 | A sinking ship? |
| What ship does not sink? |
| Why does a ship not sink? |
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 | Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
Related answers
- What does 'Rats desert a sinking ship' mean?
- Which animal do sailors say desert a sinking ship?
- Why do ships sink?
- Why do ships not sink?
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