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jump ship

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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

jump ship

to leave a job or activity suddenly Although most of our employees are satisfied with their jobs, half of them would probably jump ship if something becames available elsewhere. The original star of the TV series jumped ship after the first season.

Usage notes: often said about someone who goes to work for another company

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of jump ship (to leave a ship without permission while it is temporarily in a port in the middle of a trip)

See also: jump, ship

jump ship

if you jump ship, you leave a job or activity suddenly before it is finished, especially to go and work for someone else Another advertising agency offered him $1000 to jump ship.

See also: jump, ship