the captain goes down with the ship
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A leader is ultimately responsible for the penalities of a catastrophe, even if they result from external causes or the misactions of others under the leader's purview.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “the captain goes down with the ship” mean?
A leader is ultimately responsible for the penalities of a catastrophe, even if they result from external causes or the misactions of others under the leader's purview.
Is “the captain goes down with the ship” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.