Jump ship

Meaning

Leave a failing enterprise or abandonment.

Usage

Used for fleeing a sinking project or company.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Refers to sailors leaving a ship before disaster.

Naval slang that shifted into business usage in the 19th century.