“Abandon ship” is an idiomatic expression and a literal command that originally comes from maritime contexts, where it is used to order the crew and passengers to leave a ship in an emergency. Figuratively, it is used to describe situations where someone decides to leave a failing project, relationship, or situation because they believe it is no longer salvageable. It implies a sense of urgency, fear, or necessity, often when conditions become untenable or dangerous. The phrase suggests not only departure but also giving up on any further efforts to fix or stay with the matter at hand.
Sample Sentences:
- When the company started losing money, the executives decided to abandon ship and resign.
- The captain ordered the crew to abandon ship as the vessel began sinking.
- During the heated argument, she felt overwhelmed and decided to abandon ship.
- As the project fell apart, team members began to abandon ship one by one.
- Seeing the company headed for bankruptcy, the investors abandoned ship.
- He didn’t want to abandon ship, but the stress of the situation left him no choice.
- When the scandal broke, politicians started abandoning ship to save their reputations.
- The coach refused to abandon ship, staying with the team through tough times.
- With no hope of repair, the sailors were forced to abandon ship in the storm.
- The leader’s lack of strategy made the volunteers abandon ship in frustration.
Synonyms:
- Give up
- Desert
- Flee
- Jump ship
- Walk away
- Bail out
- Withdraw
- Leave behind
- Quit
Antonyms:
- Stay on board
- Persist
- Remain
- Commit
- Support
- Endure
- Stick it out
- Stand firm
- Hold fast
Phrasal Verbs:
- Jump ship (to leave a situation suddenly)
- Bail out (to leave or withdraw from something)
- Walk away (to leave something or someone behind)
- Pull out of (to withdraw from involvement)
- Drop out (to stop participating in something)
- Give up on (to abandon efforts or support)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Jump ship (to abandon something abruptly)
- Cut and run (to leave quickly to avoid problems)
- Throw in the towel (to give up or quit)
- Leave high and dry (to abandon someone in a difficult situation)
- Desert a sinking ship (to leave a failing enterprise or group)
- Wash one’s hands of (to disengage and no longer take responsibility)