Learn how to use the phrase "that ship has sailed".

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Episode Script:“Sorry, friend. She got engaged. That ship has sailed!”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “that ship has sailed” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“That ship has sailed” is an idiom, which means that we don’t understand it literally.
“That ship has sailed” does NOT necessarily mean that you are late to board a ship.
“That ship has sailed” (as an idiom) may not even have anything to do with boats.
“That ship has sailed” DOES mean that someone missed an opportunity that is no longer possible

The phrase originates from the days when traveling by boat or ship was more common. If a passenger were late to arrive and the ship had already left, there is no chance the big ship would turn back around to let him or her get on board. The passenger would not be able to travel, because “that ship has sailed.”

Today, the idiom “That ship has sailed” is used for any missed opportunity, especially if it was an opportunity that will not come around again. The idiom is very related to other idioms, such as “Missed the Bus” and “Missed the boat” which imply the same thing: an opportunity has been missed.

“That ship has sailed” is always used in the past perfect tense, so don’t leave off the “has”. “That ship sailed” does not carry the same emphasis and meaning.

Here are a few examples:

• We would love to have more children. But at our age, that ship has sailed.
• I should have asked Sally to marry me years ago. But now that ship has sailed.
• Thanks for your interest but that ship has sailed. We are no longer accepting applications.
• I am quitting my job to train to play football professionally before that ship has sailed.

Now it is time to take a quiz. Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. Chuck wanted to marry Linda but he didn’t act in time. She is engaged to someone else now, so that ship sailed.
2. It’s too late to sign up for the trip. That ship has sailed.
3. I wish I had invested in real estate years ago. But that boat has sailed.
4. Hurry up. That ship will sail in an hour.

What do you think? The only correct sentence is number 2.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the DayWhy did the sailers never play cards? The captain was always standing on the deck.

Thanks for listening!

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