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Region: General | Usage example: It was sink or swim when she joined the startup team alone.

Sink or swim

Meaning

Succeed or fail without help.

Usage

Used when people must prove themselves under pressure.

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.

Swimmers forced to survive on their own.

19th-century training language.

Related Idioms

Sink your teeth into

Engage deeply with a task or subject.

Loose lips sink ships

Careless talk can cause serious harm.

At the drop of a hat

Immediately, without hesitation.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.