What does “Rats desert a sinking ship.” mean?
"Rats desert a sinking ship" means that people or things that are in trouble or failing will quickly lose their support, as people will leave a situation or group that is in decline.
What context can I use the in?
Example
When the company started facing financial difficulties, many employees rats desert a sinking ship.
Example
As soon as the scandal broke out, all of his so-called friends rats desert a sinking ship.
Example
In times of crisis, you can always count on fair-weather friends to *rats desert a sinking ship.
Is “Rats desert a sinking ship.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Rats desert a sinking ship.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Rats desert a sinking ship.” effectively in context?
You can use "Rats desert a sinking ship" to describe a situation where people or things abandon a failing or declining situation. It emphasizes the idea that when things go wrong, people tend to distance themselves from the problem. For example, if a friend is considering leaving a company that is experiencing financial difficulties, you might say, 'It looks like rats are deserting a sinking ship.'
- 1Work
When the company started facing financial difficulties, many employees rats desert a sinking ship.
- 2Friendship
As soon as the scandal broke out, all of his so-called friends rats desert a sinking ship.
- 3Crisis
In times of crisis, you can always count on fair-weather friends to rats desert a sinking ship.
Similar phrases to “Rats desert a sinking ship.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Rats desert a sinking ship.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Rats desert a sinking ship" is unknown.
Is “Rats desert a sinking ship.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Rats desert a sinking ship" is a common proverb used in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe situations where people or things abandon a failing or declining situation.
What tone does “Rats desert a sinking ship.” have?
"Rats desert a sinking ship" conveys a tone of cynicism and criticism. It implies that people or things are only loyal when things are going well and will quickly abandon ship when faced with difficulties.
Can “Rats desert a sinking ship.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The proverb "Rats desert a sinking ship" is commonly used in both informal and formal settings. It is a well-known expression that conveys the idea of people or things abandoning a failing situation. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'When the scandal broke out, his friends quickly rats desert a sinking ship.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Rats desert a sinking ship!' to imply that people are abandoning a failing situation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- flee from a sinking ship
- run for the hills
- abandon a sinking ship
- leave in times of trouble
- turn one's back on a sinking ship
Antonyms
- stand by someone in tough times
- stay loyal in difficult situations
- support a sinking ship
- stick with someone through thick and thin
- remain committed in times of crisis
