sink or swim
English
editEtymology
editPossibly from the practice of throwing a suspected witch into water.
Verb
editsink or swim (third-person singular simple present sinks or swims, present participle sinking or swimming, simple past sank or swam, past participle sunk or swum)
- To fail or succeed, no matter what.
- 1872, Louisa May Alcott, chapter 1, in Shawl-Straps:
- "No matter, we are going, live or die, sink or swim; and I shall expect to meet you, all booted and spurred and fit for the fight, April first," said the unwavering Amanda.
- 1920, Edgar Wallace, chapter 35, in Jack O' Judgment:
- "Now, come, Pinto, we're all in this, sink or swim."
Usage notes
edit- Often used to indicate that, although an endeavor may fail or succeed, it will still be attempted with determination.
Translations
editto fail or succeed, on a project attempted
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