jump ship

jump ship

1. To suddenly abandon one's post on a ship, as of a sailor. No one has been able to find that missing sailor, so they think he probably jumped ship.
2. By extension, to suddenly abandon any post or task. I can't believe he resigned and jumped ship before bringing about the big changes he promised.
See also: jump, ship
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

jump ship

 
1. Lit. to leave one's job on a ship and fail to be aboard it when it sails; [for a sailor] to go AWOL. One of the deckhands jumped ship at the last port.
2. Fig. to leave any post or position; to quit or resign, especially when there is difficulty with the job. None of the editors liked the new policies, so they all jumped ship as soon as other jobs opened up.
See also: jump, ship
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

jump ship

or

abandon ship

COMMON If you jump ship or abandon ship, you leave an organization because you think it is going to fail or because you want to join a rival organization. Landau had jumped ship by the time the company collapsed. For weeks he worked eighteen-hour days, pleading with his staff not to abandon ship. Note: If sailors jump ship, they leave their ship without permission and do not return.
See also: jump, ship
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

jump ship

1 (of a sailor) leave the ship on which you are serving without having obtained permission to do so. 2 suddenly abandon an organization, enterprise, etc.
See also: jump, ship
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

jump ˈship


1 (of a sailor) leave the ship on which you are serving, without permission: Two of the sailors jumped ship in New York.
2 leave an organization that you belong to, suddenly and unexpectedly: When they realized that the company was in serious financial trouble, quite a few of the staff jumped ship.
See also: jump, ship
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • break ship
  • abandon ship
  • when (one's) ship comes in
  • when my ship comes in
  • when one's ship comes in
  • when ship comes in
  • when someone's ship comes in
  • when your ship comes in
  • when your ship/boat comes in
  • be broad in the beam
References in periodicals archive
Mrs May yesterday met two Remainer ex-ministers, Justine Greening and Phillip Lee, who Downing Street fears could jump ship.
Third of Cabinet ready to quit over no-deal; Tory defector's warning to PM
But in the midst of her failures, she didn't jump ship and give up.
No matter how tough things get, don't jump ship
The seating arrangement of the Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat is likely to change if there are indeed Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs who jump ship, according to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.
Speaker: Parliament seating arrangement will change if MPs jump ship
Robredo, who has long taken on the role of opposition, said she has no plans to abandon LP and jump ship to other parties for political gain.
Robredo to stay with LP for its 'principles and values'
'I have not resigned, I have no reason whatsoever to resign or jump ship from a government that is so responsive and performing optimally while giving practical meaning to democratic dividends for the people of Akwa Ibom.
I have no plans to resign or defect to APC - A'Ibom deputy gov
KARACHI:Several notable figures from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have moved to the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and the wave is expected to continue with NA-242 lawmaker Mehboob Alam expected to jump ship today.Sources have claimed that this latest development will be announced at a press conference being held at Pakistan House later Sunday.
Another MQM MNA expected to join PSP
Virginia Beach, VA, April 15, 2016 --(PR.com)-- "Using the fun, singsong rhythms of meter and rhyme, Jump Ship Jonah retells the biblical account of this colorful character and his struggle with obedience.
Local Author Launches First Children's Picture Book in "Rhyme Time Bible Stories" Series
I WRITE with regard to your piece about Tory AM Antoinette Sandbach attempting to jump ship and become an MP in Cheshire.
AM's bid to become an MP in Cheshire; LETTERS
They have stayed in the negotiation." The Obama Administration has said it will veto any new sanctions while the talks continue in part because new sanctions might encourage allies to jump ship.
Clinton stays close to Obama on Iran policies
Yet to return to sea since the night he was forced to jump ship and swim for his life, he plans to do so later this year.
'Costa lessons must be learned'
If, as he claims, he is innocent of any wrong-doing, why did he jump ship before the West Yorkshire Police Authority met to decide his future?
Why did chief jump? Mailbag letters also appear online at www.examiner.co.uk/letters Mailbag
Dewey's potential merger with SNR Denton falls apart Dewey encourages partners to jump ship N.Y.
Dewey offers former partners a deal
I think her willingness to jump ship at the first sight of a better offer proves she was never truly a part of this show.
Time to admit error and bring back Arlene
The initiative is run in partnership by live literature specialists Mercy, Jump Ship Rat, and experimental music collective Sound Network, alongside studios and independent galleries Red Wire, Lost Soul and Stranger Service Station, Arena Gallery and Studios and The Royal Standard - and supported by Shops Up Front and Arts Council England.
Preview; THE COOPERATIVE Old Paint Shop, Renshaw Street
NEW Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson admits he has to sell himself and his ideals to the club's star players but hopes they will not be tempted to "jump ship".
Hodgson urges Red stars to stick it out