tight ship

ship  (shp)

n.

1.

a. A vessel of considerable size for deep-water navigation.

b. A sailing vessel having three or more square-rigged masts.

2. An aircraft or spacecraft.

3. The crew of one of these vessels.

4. One's fortune: When my ship comes in, I'll move to a larger house.

v. shipped, ship·ping, ships

v.tr.

1. To place or receive on board a ship: shipped the cargo in the hold.

2. To cause to be transported by or as if by ship; send. See Synonyms at send¹.

3. To place (a ship's mast or rudder, for example) in its working position.

4.

a. To bring into a ship or boat: ship an anchor.

b. To place (an oar) in a resting position inside a boat without removing it from the oarlock.

5. To hire (a person) for work on a ship.

6. To take in (water) over the side of a ship.

v.intr.

1. To go aboard a ship; embark.

2. To travel by ship.

3. To hire oneself out or enlist for service on a ship.

Phrasal Verb:

ship out

1. To accept a position on board a ship and serve as a crew member: shipped out on a tanker.

2. To leave, as for a distant place: troops shipping out to the war zone.

3. To send, as to a distant place.

4. Informal To quit, resign from, or otherwise vacate a position: Shape up or ship out.

Idiom:

tight ship

A well-managed and efficient business, household, or organization: We run a tight ship.

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[Middle English, from Old English scip.]

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shippa·ble adj.

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tight ship - Literally one in which ropes and rigging are tied and taut.

See also related terms for rigging.