1 : a large boat used for traveling long distances over the sea [count] ▪ a sailing/cruise/merchant ship ▪ the captain of the ship [noncount] ▪ He will travel by ship. — see also flagship, steamship, tall ship, troopship, warship 2 [count] : a large airplane or spacecraft — see also airship, rocket ship, spaceship
abandon ship — see 1abandon
jump ship 1 : to leave a ship without the captain's permission
▪ He planned to jump ship at the next port. 2 : to suddenly or unexpectedly leave a group, team, etc.
▪ She jumped ship when the competition offered her a better job.
▪ He planned to jump ship at the next port.
▪ She jumped ship when the competition offered her a better job.
run a tight ship
: to manage or handle a group of people in a strict and effective way
▪ The boss runs a tight ship.
▪ The boss runs a tight ship.
ship comes in
◊When your ship comes in, you become very successful or wealthy.
▪ She's still waiting for her ship to come in.
▪ She's still waiting for her ship to come in.






