What is the origin of the idiom sink or swim?

Answer 1

A "sink or swim" situation is a situation where one must take action, no matter how dangerous, in order to survive because doing nothing at this point is going to be fatal. The most literal example would be if your boat is sinking and you don't have a life jacket. You either go down with your boat or you start swimming.

Answer 2

Oh, dude, the idiom "sink or swim" comes from the literal act of either sinking or swimming in water. It's like, if you're thrown into a pool without knowing how to swim, you either figure it out and stay afloat (swim) or you... well, sink. It's all about adapting and surviving, man.

Answer 3

Well, darling, the idiom "sink or swim" dates back to the 15th century and is a nautical term referring to a situation where one must either succeed by their own efforts or fail completely. So, basically, it's like telling someone to figure it out on their own or face the consequences. So, either you learn to swim or you end up at the bottom of the ocean.

Answer 4

the origin of this idiom mean fail or succeed

Answer 5

It is urging you to do something. If you don't swim, you are going to stay in the same place and drown. If you don't learn to do the work or job, you are just going to stay were you are at.

Answer 6

Nothing. The correct term is "sink or swim," which makes the meaning fairly obvious. Either you learn how to do whatever is needed, or you "sink" and fail.