abandons ship

Leaves sinking craft

To abandon ship is to evacuate a vessel in distress—the captain's order when a boat is sinking or on fire.

Figuratively, it means to leave any failing situation: When the startup ran out of funding, the engineers abandoned ship.

The phrase often implies fleeing at the last moment or deserting when things turn bad.

Related

self-preservation · last resort · craft · overboard · evacuation · betrayal · survival instinct · save yourself · maritime law · fear · mutiny · cut and run · distress signal · resignation · sinking · going down · quitting · guilt

Opposites
commitment to vessel/post

abandons shipholds fast

weathers the storm · stays put · digs in

leadership responsibility

abandons shiptakes command

Assumes leadership role

perseveres · doubles down · soldiers on · hangs tough

metaphorical commitment

abandons shipdoubles down

Increases commitment despite risk

perseveres · digs in · soldiers on

Family

abandon, abandons, abandoned, abandoning, abandonment, ship, ships, shipped, shipping

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G