that ship has sailed

T

that ship has sailed (idiom)
/ðæt ʃɪp hæz seɪld/

Meaning

• Indicates that an opportunity is no longer available or possible.
• Expresses that it is too late to take action on something.
• Refers to a chance that has passed and cannot be reclaimed.
• Suggests that a certain possibility or situation has already ended.
• Implies someone has missed their window of opportunity.
• Conveys resignation that something hoped for or planned will no longer happen.

Variants

• that boat has sailed
• the ship has already sailed
• your chance has sailed

Example Sentences

1. You should’ve applied last week — that ship has sailed.
2. I wanted to study abroad, but now that ship has sailed.
3. We talked about reconciliation, but that ship has sailed.
4. He asked if he could still join the project, but that ship has sailed.
5. I thought about investing early, but that ship has sailed now.
6. Don’t bother asking her out again — that ship has sailed.

Origin and History

Nautical Roots and Literal Beginnings

The phrase “that ship has sailed” finds its origins in maritime practices of the 19th century. During this era, sailing ships were heavily dependent on favorable wind and tidal conditions. Once a ship departed, especially with the aid of an outgoing tide, it was challenging to return promptly due to the necessity of waiting for the next suitable tide and wind direction. This reality made missing a ship’s departure a significant setback, often requiring days of waiting for the next opportunity.

Evolution into a Metaphorical Expression

Over time, the literal experience of missing a ship’s departure evolved into a metaphor representing missed opportunities. The phrase began to symbolize situations where a chance had passed, and it was too late to act. This metaphorical usage became prevalent in English-speaking cultures, particularly in regions with strong maritime traditions like the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cultural and Linguistic Variants

The concept of missed opportunities is universal, leading to similar expressions in various languages:

• German: “Dieser Zug ist abgefahren” (“That train has left”).
• Spanish: “Ese barco ya zarpó” (“That ship has already sailed”).
• Russian: “Поезд ушёл” (“The train is gone”).
• Hungarian: “Ez a hajó már elment” (“This ship has already gone”).

These idioms reflect the shared human experience of recognizing when an opportunity is no longer attainable.

Earliest Recorded Usage

While pinpointing the exact first use of the phrase is challenging, it gained prominence in the latter half of the 19th century, coinciding with the era when sea travel was commonplace. The expression has since been widely adopted in literature, film, and everyday conversation to denote that a particular opportunity is no longer available.

Synonyms

• missed the boat
• too late
• out of time
• lost your chance

About the Author

Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the K–12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.

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