right this ship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'right this ship' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is an idiom and it means to try to fix a difficult situation. For example, "We need to right this ship before it sinks any further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

There's enough to right this ship.

The New York Times - Sports

There is little time for Coach Dave Wannstedt to right this ship but he does.

The New York Times - Sports

American society was built on the middle class, Biden said, and the time had come "to right this ship".

The Guardian

"I hold the commissioner less accountable for implementations not working than I hold him accountable for failing to accept that fact and making the significant course corrections that could right this ship," Mr. Iannuzzi said.

The New York Times

Bungie has had its struggles, but I do trust Bungie to right this ship.

Forbes

But if Twitter is somehow able to right this ship, it may have an opportunity to get that growth engine moving again.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Because I ran for President precisely to make sure that we righted this ship and we start once again creating a situation where middle-class families and people who aspire to be in the middle class, if they're working hard, then they're living a better life.

The New York Times

But righting this ship won't happen overnight; we need endurance.

HuffPost

For sure, there's plenty of time to right this sinking ship.

Huffington Post

To right this political ship, it must recapture pro-life liberals such as my mother, who was a loyal Democrat until 1996, when President Clinton vetoed the bill banning partial-birth abortions.

Los Angeles Times

If HTC is looking for the next mainstream play to right the ship, this is emphatically not it.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "right this ship" when you want to emphasize a need for significant corrective action to avoid further decline or failure. It implies a sense of urgency and the need for decisive measures.

Common error

Avoid using "right this ship" for minor adjustments or improvements. This idiom is best suited for situations requiring substantial change and where significant negative consequences are likely if no action is taken.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "right this ship" is as a verb phrase acting as an idiomatic expression. It typically serves as the predicate of a sentence, indicating the action needed to correct a problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to describe the act of fixing a difficult situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "right this ship" is a call to action, urging significant correction to a failing situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a grammatically correct phrase used to fix a difficult problem. While most prevalent in news and media, its usage extends to formal and business contexts. When considering alternatives, options like ""turn things around"" or ""get back on track"" offer similar meanings. Remember that using "right this ship" should be reserved for circumstances that necessitate substantial change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn things around

Focuses on reversing a negative trend or situation.

get back on track

Emphasizes returning to a desired course or plan.

correct the course

Implies adjusting the direction or strategy to achieve a goal.

remedy the situation

Highlights the act of fixing or improving an undesirable state.

resolve the crisis

Specifically addresses solving a critical problem or emergency.

straighten things out

Suggests simplifying or clarifying a confused or problematic state.

set things straight

Similar to straightening out, but with a stronger emphasis on honesty and integrity.

recover from the setback

Highlights the process of bouncing back after a negative event.

mend the damage

Focuses on repairing the harm caused by a problem or mistake.

salvage the situation

Implies rescuing something valuable from a failing or damaged state.

FAQs

What does the idiom "right this ship" mean?

The idiom "right this ship" means to correct a course of action or to fix a situation that is going wrong. It implies a need to make significant changes to avoid failure.

How can I use "right this ship" in a sentence?

You can use "right this ship" in a sentence like this: "The company needs to "turn things around" and "right this ship" before it goes bankrupt."

What is a good alternative to "right this ship"?

Alternatives to "right this ship" include "get back on track", "correct the course", or "remedy the situation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "right this ship" a formal or informal expression?

"Right this ship" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news and media or general discussions.