What does “Ship came in” mean?
"Ship came in" means to experience a sudden and significant financial gain or success.
What context can I use the in?
Example
After years of hard work, his ship came in when he won the lottery.
Example
She invested in a startup and her ship came in when it was acquired by a big company.
Example
They had been struggling for years, but finally their ship came in when they landed a major client
Is “Ship came in” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Ship came in” 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 “Ship came in” effectively in context?
You can use "Ship came in" to describe a situation where someone experiences a sudden and significant financial gain or success. It implies that their hard work or investments have finally paid off. For example, if a friend has been working tirelessly on a business venture and they finally secure a major investor, you might say, 'Congratulations! Your ship has come in!'
- 1Entrepreneurship
After years of hard work, his ship came in when he won the lottery.
- 2Investments
She invested in a startup and her ship came in when it was acquired by a big company.
- 3Business Success
They had been struggling for years, but finally their ship came in when they landed a major client.
Similar phrases to “Ship came in”:
Make a killing
To make a large profit or financial gain
Example
They made a killing in the stock market.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Ship came in” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Ship came in" is unknown.
Is “Ship came in” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Ship came in" is a common expression used in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe a sudden and significant financial gain or success.
What tone does “Ship came in” have?
"Ship came in" conveys a tone of excitement and celebration. It's often used to congratulate someone on their good fortune and acknowledge their hard work paying off.
Can “Ship came in” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Ship came in" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a positive financial outcome. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as business 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, 'After years of hard work, his ship finally came in.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Finally, my "ship came in"!' to express excitement about a financial success.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- strike it lucky
- strike gold
- cash in
- win big
- make a breakthrough
Antonyms
- miss the boat
- lose out
- fall short
- fail to capitalize
- come up empty
