English Explanatory Dictionary

the captain goes down with the ship

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. 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.

Word forms

the captain goes down with the ship

Etymology

From the maritime tradition that a sea captain holds ultimate responsibility for both their ship and everyone embarked on it, and in an emergency will either save those on board or die trying.

Synonyms

the buck stops here

Related words

Davy Jones's locker duty last full measure women and children first
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