How to Pronounce "desert a sinking ship"
expression
ˈdɛzɝt/, /dɪˈzɝt/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/ /ˈʃɪp
DEH-zurt uh SING-king SHIP
dɪˈzɜːt/ /æɪ/ /sˈɪŋkɪŋ/ /ʃˈɪp
di-ZURT uh SING-king SHIP
Definition
To leave a group or organization when it starts failing or having problems, instead of staying to help. Usually used to criticize someone for abandoning others in difficult times.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈdɛzɝt/, /dɪˈzɝt/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/ /ˈʃɪp
British English
dɪˈzɜːt/ /æɪ/ /sˈɪŋkɪŋ/ /ʃˈɪp
Simplified Pronunciation
US
DEH-zurt uh SING-king SHIP
UK
di-ZURT uh SING-king SHIP
Listen in Context
He decided to desert a sinking ship when the company started losing money.
Many board members deserted a sinking ship during the scandal.
Don't desert a sinking ship just because things get hard.
He didn't want to be seen as someone who would desert a sinking ship when the project failed.