That ship has sailed

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. That ship has sailed meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "That ship has sailed"

Meaning

The phrase 'that ship has sailed' means that the opportunity or potential for something to happen has passed and is no longer within reach. The phrase is used to describe a situation in which it is too late to take action, or something has become impossible to achieve because the opportunity no longer exists.

Etymology

The origins of the phrase 'that ship has sailed' are unclear, however it is thought to be derived from the maritime phrase “to sail a ship”, which means to navigate a vessel across the open seas. This phrase may have been converted into the modern day idiom “that ship has sailed” to suggest that the opportunity for something to happen has passed.

Usage

The phrase 'that ship has sailed' is most often used as an expression to describe a situation in which it is too late to take action, or something has become impossible to achieve because the opportunity no longer exists. It can be used by anyone in any situation where the potential for something to happen has passed. It can also be used in a more metaphorical or figurative way, such as when a friend is trying to encourage you to take a chance on something, but you reply “that ship has sailed”, meaning that it is too late and you have already missed the opportunity.

Example Sentences

• I'm sorry but I can't help you out with this one - that ship has sailed.
• We had the chance to buy the house, but we missed our opportunity - that ship has sailed now.
• I tried to reach out to her, but she never replied - I guess that ship has sailed.
• Don't worry, there will be other opportunities - if that ship has sailed, don't worry, there will be another one.

Idioms with similar meanings in different languages

"Barking up the wrong tree" is an English idiom that means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. In German, the similar idiom is "Auf dem Holzweg sein," which translates to "To be on the wrong track." This idiom emphasizes the idea that when you are pursuing the wrong course of action, you are not going to achieve your desired outcome.