hit the silk

hit the silk

To jump out of an aircraft. The phrase refers to a skydiver's parachute. A lot of people think skydiving is nerve-wracking, but when I hit the silk, I'm completely calm.
See also: hit, silk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • young once
  • you're only young once
  • life is for living
  • wrack (one's) brain(s)
  • wrack brains
  • there's a first time for everything
  • carry a Chinaman on (one's) back
  • have a Chinaman at (one's) neck
  • have a Chinaman on (one's) back
  • a woman's work is never done
References in periodicals archive
When he heard no response from his crewmen, and could not see them, he believed that Delaney and White had "hit the silk" as soon as they heard the order.
Forged by Navy in World War II
O'Brien wants 100 municipal employees to put on buyout parachutes and hit the silk. The 32 police recruits that graduated from the city's academy last week received their badges and a pat on the back for a job not yet done.
The Backup files; A look back at the week in business
The instructor ordered me to check my parachute and ensure I would be ready to hit the silk if we flamed out.
Just Be Ready To Bail Out, OK?