sinking vessel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sinking vessel" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to maritime situations, emergencies, or metaphorically to describe failing situations. For example: "The crew worked tirelessly to save the sinking vessel before it disappeared beneath the waves." Alternative expressions include "foundering ship" and "submerging craft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Offshore processing restarted in earnest in 2001 after the Tampa affair, when a Norwegian freighter rescued 433 asylum seekers from their sinking vessel, 140km from Christmas Island.

The Guardian

Walsh is captain of a rapidly sinking vessel, and many of the openings in the hull are because of his doing.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1944 he made newspaper headlines when his ship was torpedoed, leaving him to cut the lifeboat away from the sinking vessel – "Burly West Indian Saved Crew".

The Guardian - Music

A close-up underlines the boat's name, "Damfino," which was also the name of the majestically sinking vessel in Keaton's 1921 short "The Boat".

The New York Times

Andrew Simpson sensitively portrays him as a lost soul, suffering the guilt of the survivor when he escapes from the sinking vessel on a lifeboat intended for women and children.

The Guardian

After reports that some fishing boats had ignored the sinking vessel, local fisherman said they were often hesitant to pick up migrants at sea since they risked their boats being seized under Italy's tough laws on illegal migrants.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It persuaded European Union partners to cease search and rescue missions for sinking vessels, effectively leaving people to drown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tory minister Baroness Anelay's claim last year that supporting search and rescue missions for sinking vessels was a "'pull factor', encouraging more migrants to attempt the dangerous sea crossing", convinced others in the European Union.

The Guardian - Opinion

In May, footage of starving Rohingya refugees, abandoned by their traffickers on sinking vessels and initially refused permission to land by Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, brought international attention to the human rights catastrophe unfolding across Asia.

The Guardian

Orion harassment of Griffon shipping includes detaining merchant vessels, siphoning of refined oil products, and eventually firing upon and sinking vessels".

Vice

You will need to select and purchase a cabinet, top, sink vessel and a mirror.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sinking vessel" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the comparison to a failing entity or situation. For example, avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating, "The company felt like a sinking vessel, with morale plummeting and resources dwindling."

Common error

Avoid using "sinking vessel" in situations where the failure is not imminent or severe. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact; reserve it for scenarios where collapse or failure is the most likely outcome. For less critical situation consider alternative phrases like "struggling organization" or "challenged project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sinking vessel" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "sinking" describes the state of the noun "vessel". Ludwig examples illustrate its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sinking vessel" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a ship that is in the process of sinking. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, its usage extends beyond literal maritime scenarios to metaphorically represent entities or situations facing imminent collapse or failure. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context supports the severity of the image it evokes and be mindful that overusing it can reduce the phrase effectiveness. Alternative expressions, like "foundering ship" or "failing enterprise", can provide nuance and avoid repetition. Predominantly found in news media and general knowledge contexts, "sinking vessel" maintains a neutral tone suitable for broad application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundering ship

Replaces "sinking" with a synonym implying a breakdown or failure leading to the vessel sinking.

ship in the process of sinking

Explicitly states the ongoing nature of the sinking event.

capsizing boat

Focuses on the action of overturning, a specific type of sinking, rather than the general state of sinking.

submerging craft

Emphasizes the action of going underwater; 'craft' is a broader term than 'vessel'.

drowning boat

Uses the verb "drowning" to describe the boat, creating a more vivid image but is less common than "sinking".

ship going down

A more colloquial expression describing the event of a ship sinking.

vessel in distress

Broadens the situation to include any kind of danger, not just sinking.

doomed ship

Highlights the inevitable fate of the ship, shifting the focus from the action to the outcome.

collapsing organization

Metaphorically applies the concept of sinking to a failing business or organization.

failing enterprise

Similar to "collapsing organization" but emphasizes the business aspect of the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "sinking vessel" in a sentence?

You can use "sinking vessel" in sentences like, "The refugees were rescued from a "sinking vessel" in the Mediterranean" or, metaphorically, "The project felt like a "sinking vessel" due to budget cuts and lack of support".

What are some alternatives to "sinking vessel"?

Some alternatives include "foundering ship", "ship going down", or, in a metaphorical context, "failing enterprise".

Is it appropriate to use "sinking vessel" in formal writing?

Yes, "sinking vessel" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly in news reports, maritime contexts, or when using it metaphorically to describe the decline of an organization. The appropriateness depends on the surrounding language and tone of the writing.

What does "sinking vessel" imply?

The phrase "sinking vessel" implies imminent danger, failure, or collapse, whether referring to a literal ship or a metaphorical entity. It suggests a situation that is rapidly deteriorating and likely to result in a complete loss.