abandon ship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abandon ship" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used as a command to tell people to leave a ship for safety reasons, such as in an emergency or when the ship is sinking. It can also be used figuratively to mean to give up on something or to flee a situation. Example: "As the storm raged on and the ship began to sink, the captain shouted, 'Abandon ship!' and the crew quickly made their way to the lifeboats." Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team knew they had to abandon ship and abandon their project due to budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time to abandon ship.

The New Yorker

I just said, "Abandon ship.

The Guardian

Sailors scrambled to abandon ship.

The New York Times

He made the order to abandon ship.

The New York Times - Magazine

The CEO would not abandon ship.

Harvard Business Review

They are not about to abandon ship.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There's no reason to abandon ship".

The New York Times

"To marriage, and all those who abandon ship".

The New Yorker

The call to abandon ship sounded just before 11 p.m.

The New York Times

At 2pm, the order came to abandon ship.

The Guardian

If immediate gratification is not forthcoming, abandon ship.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abandon ship" figuratively, ensure the context clearly indicates a situation that is failing or becoming dangerous to remain in. For example: As sales declined the company had to abandon ship and change their business model.

Common error

Avoid using "abandon ship" in contexts where a simple change of course is sufficient. The phrase implies a complete and irreversible withdrawal, so ensure the situation warrants such a drastic description.

Linguistic Context

"Abandon ship" serves as an imperative phrase, primarily used to command or signal the necessity of leaving a vessel due to imminent danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage extends figuratively, denoting the act of relinquishing a failing project or situation. Examples from Ludwig show its application in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Abandon ship" is a versatile phrase with both literal and figurative applications, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Literally, it commands the evacuation of a vessel facing imminent danger. Figuratively, it signifies withdrawing from a failing project or endeavor. Its usage is very common, especially in News & Media. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to convey urgency and finality. While its source quality is high, overusing it or misinterpreting its figurative meaning are potential pitfalls. Alternatives such as "evacuate the vessel" or "withdraw from the project" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evacuate the vessel

Focuses specifically on the act of leaving a ship, similar to the primary literal meaning of "abandon ship".

leave the sinking ship

Emphasizes the dire circumstances prompting the departure, like the original phrase.

jump ship

A more concise, idiomatic way of saying "abandon ship", often used figuratively.

bail out

A common idiom for leaving a difficult situation, with a slightly less formal tone.

withdraw from the project

Applies "abandon ship" to the context of projects or ventures.

disengage from the operation

A more formal way of saying leaving a failing project or task.

cut losses

Emphasizes stopping an activity that is losing money.

pull the plug

Implies stopping something entirely, often abruptly.

defect

Implies abandoning an organization or a country.

throw in the towel

Expresses giving up due to insurmountable challenges or impossibility to continue.

FAQs

How can I use "abandon ship" in a sentence?

You can use "abandon ship" both literally, referring to leaving a vessel in distress, or figuratively, to describe leaving a failing project or endeavor. Example: The captain ordered, "abandon ship" as the vessel took on water. Or: When the project began losing money, they decided to "abandon ship".

What does it mean to "abandon ship" in a business context?

In business, to "abandon ship" signifies withdrawing from a failing project, strategy, or venture. It implies that the situation is beyond saving and the best course of action is to cut losses and move on. Similar phrases include "cut losses" or "pull the plug".

What's the difference between "abandon ship" and "jump ship"?

"Abandon ship" typically refers to a collective decision to leave a vessel or project due to imminent danger or failure, whereas "jump ship" often implies an individual leaving a team or organization, sometimes for personal gain or a better opportunity.

Are there alternatives to using the phrase "abandon ship"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use phrases like "evacuate the vessel" (for literal ship emergencies), "withdraw from the project", or "bail out" (for figurative situations).