DESERT A SINKING SHIP

desert a sinking ship: translation

desert a sinking ship & leave a sinking ship

Fig. to leave a place, a person, or a situation when things become difficult or unpleasant. (Rats are said to be the first to leave a ship that is sinking.) •

I hate to be the one to desert a sinking ship, but I can't work for a company that continues to lose money.

•

There goes Tom. Wouldn't you know he'd leave a sinking ship rather than stay around and try to help?