ship comes in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ship comes in" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea that good fortune or opportunities are arriving, often after a period of waiting or hardship. Example: "After months of hard work, it finally feels like my ship has come in with this new job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"If you don't mark your successes, the day your ship comes in could be just another day at the office, and there's no poetry in that," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

It happens when your ship comes in.

The Guardian - Books

So say your ship comes in, where are the best places to stay in Australia?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Felicia, honey, when my ship comes in and you're ready to fly the coop like Ms. Koop: you're hired.

The New York Times

I felt that since this was my first foray as a client (and unless my ship comes in, probably my last), I ought to play it safe.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or maybe it will be later this year, during the World Series, or next year's Super Bowl, or the weekend when your ship comes in and you get to buy that 65-inch TV.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I am sick and tired of seeing big cargo ships coming in from China".

The New York Times

"Some days you can have as many as 10 ships coming in," said Manuel Vecchina, another ship critic.

The New York Times

And, as more ships come in, they must wait longer for the overwhelmed barge fleet to unload them, added Capt.

The New York Times

"When you see those ships coming in, that's money coming in, and it trickles down to everybody," said Kathleen Garrold, 54, a medical secretary who grew up here.

The New York Times

It checks out ships coming in from the open sea but has no way of thoroughly searching everything that comes by.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "ship comes in" to express a sense of long-awaited success or financial reward, but be mindful of its somewhat old-fashioned tone. Ensure it fits the overall style and register of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ship comes in" to describe any general success. This idiom implies a significant, often financial, breakthrough that has been anticipated for some time. Overusing it diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ship comes in" functions as an idiomatic expression, specifically a metaphor for the arrival of fortune or success, often after a period of waiting or hard work. Ludwig provides several examples of its usage in various contexts, highlighting its role as a concise way to communicate this idea.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "ship comes in" effectively conveys the arrival of long-awaited success or financial reward. Ludwig's examples and AI analysis confirm it is grammatically correct and most frequently used in News & Media contexts. While it can be a useful way to express a sense of relief and accomplishment, it's essential to be mindful of its slightly old-fashioned feel and ensure it fits the tone of your writing. Remember that alternatives like "fortune smiles" or "success arrives" may be more appropriate in certain formal settings. Also, avoid using it to describe just any success. The idiom implies a significant breakthrough that has been anticipated for some time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortune smiles

Expresses the arrival of good luck or favorable circumstances, differing in its more general application to luck rather than specific gains.

success arrives

Focuses directly on the attainment of success, lacking the idiomatic nuance and potential surprise element of the original phrase.

opportunity knocks

Emphasizes the availability of a chance or prospect, differing by focusing on potential rather than realized benefit.

windfall gained

Highlights an unexpected and substantial gain, contrasting with the more general sense of opportunities arriving.

things look up

Suggests an improvement in a situation or outlook, which is less specific than the arrival of tangible benefits.

dreams come true

Indicates the fulfillment of long-held aspirations, making it broader than the original idiom's implication of financial or material success.

breakthrough achieved

Highlights a significant advancement or discovery, contrasting with the more general sense of prosperity implied by the original.

luck turns around

Signifies a change from bad luck to good, which emphasizes the reversal aspect more than the original phrase.

golden opportunity appears

Emphasizes the arrival of a valuable opportunity, but may not necessarily imply the culmination of a long wait or effort.

tide turns

Indicates a shift in circumstances, often toward improvement, differing in its metaphorical link to natural forces.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "my ship came in"?

When someone says "my ship came in", it means they have finally achieved a long-awaited success, often implying financial gain or a significant opportunity. It suggests that a period of waiting or struggle has ended with a positive outcome.

What can I say instead of "ship comes in"?

You can use alternatives like "fortune smiles", "success arrives", or "opportunity knocks" depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar sense of achieving success or good fortune.

Is it appropriate to use "ship comes in" in formal writing?

While "ship comes in" is a recognized idiom, it leans towards informal usage. In formal writing, consider using more direct and professional alternatives like "significant progress achieved" or "financial goals realized".

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

You can use "ship comes in" in a sentence like this: "After years of hard work and dedication, it finally feels like my "ship comes in" with this promotion." It expresses a sense of long-awaited success and reward.