a tight ship

a tight ship

A very well-organized and efficiently operating place, group, or organization. Jane sure ran a tight ship when she worked here—the whole place has started falling apart without her. A: "I must say, I'm impressed with your battalion, commander." B: "Thank you, sir. I try to keep a tight ship."
See also: ship, tight
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tight ship

A well-managed organization, as in The camp director runs a tight ship. This metaphoric term alludes to a ship in which the ropes are taut and by extension the ship is strictly managed. [Second half of 1900s]
See also: ship, tight
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

tight ship

A well-managed and efficient business, household, or organization: We run a tight ship.
See also: ship, tight
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • Mecca for
  • defect to
  • defect to (something)
  • ditch (some place)
  • barrel in
  • barrel in(to)
  • come on into (some place)
  • come right in
  • know place
  • know your place
References in periodicals archive
Griffin said she runs a tight ship, but when work is done, she makes sure her team knows they are valued.
JENNY GRIFFIN: CFO / Advanced Cabling Systems / North Little Rock
How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons?
"How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons?: Proverbs 31 Discoveries for Yielding to the Master of the Seas" is a Christian woman's guide to finding control in one's life.
How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons?