hit the silk
Jump and deploy
Hit the silk means to parachute from an aircraft, from the silk fabric traditionally used in parachute canopies.
The phrase originated in military aviation: The engine failed and the pilot had to hit the silk.
It can extend figuratively to any dramatic exit or escape from a situation.
- ripcordDeployment activator for parachutes
- parachuteDrag-creating descent device
- static lineAnchored deployment cable
- bail outRescue from trouble
- jump outEmerge abruptly, noticeably
freefall · jump ship · cut and run · ejection seat · canopy · leap of faith · nylon · take flight · aircrew · drop zone · altimeter · airborne troops · abandon ship · synthetic fibers · terminal velocity · textile industry · lightweight material · bailout