desert a sinking ship
Abandon a failing enterprise before it is too late. For example, After seeing the company's financial statement, he knew it was time to desert a sinking ship. This metaphoric expression alludes to rats, which leave a vessel when it founders in a storm or runs aground so as to escape drowning. It was transferred to human behavior by about 1600.
Words nearby desert a sinking ship
desensitization,
desensitize,
deseret,
deserpidine,
desert,
desert a sinking ship,
desert boot,
desert boots,
desert cooler,
desert culture,
desert fathers