Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

the captain goes down with the ship

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.49 in modern English

Syllables: the -cap-tain -goes -down with- the -ship
IPA

55

Scrabble Score

29

Letters

7

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

A leader is ultimately responsible for the penalities of a catastrophe, even if they result from external causes or the misactions of others under the leader's purview.

Etymology

From the maritime tradition that a sea captain holds ultimate responsibility for both their ship and everyone embarked on it, and in an emergency will either save those on board or die trying.

Phrases

Davy Jones's locker last full measure women and children first

Frequently Paired Words

Davy Jones's locker duty last full measure women and children first

Synonyms

the buck stops here

Questions

What does the captain goes down with the ship mean?: A leader is ultimately responsible for the penalities of a catastrophe, even if they result from external causes or the misactions of others under the leader's purview.
Where does the captain goes down with the ship come from?: From the maritime tradition that a sea captain holds ultimate responsibility for both their ship and everyone embarked on it, and in an emergency will either save those on board or die trying.

How to pronounce the captain goes down with the ship

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