That Ship Has Sailed – Meaning, Origin & Usage

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘that ship has sailed’ and not known what it means? I wouldn’t be surprised if you have. It rarely refers to ships, and it doesn’t really mean much when the metaphor is so long forgotten here in the 21st century.

However, this article is going to change all that. You’re going to learn what the phrase means, the breakdown on how it originated, and some guidance on usage, including how and when to use the phrase. We’re also going to throw in some alternative phrases that you can use in its place if you prefer, before rounding off with a conclusion.

And without further ado, let’s get straight to it.

What is the meaning of the phrase ‘that ship has sailed’?

People use the phrase ‘that ship has sailed’ to refer to a time when it is too late to carry out a particular action, or to take up an opportunity. It is used to make the point that things simply cannot return to the previous circumstances because we cannot turn back time, and too much has gone on between now and then for things to simply carry on the way they had done before. The phrase and idiom has a tone of finality.

The origin of the phrase goes quite far back, though it’s hard to know when the phrase first originated.

What is the origin of the phrase ‘that ship has sailed’?

The phrase ‘that ship has sailed’ has a literal origin, coming from maritime travel. Travelling by ship then had distinct limitations on when a ship can set sail, and when it cannot return to set sail again, because it relied on the winds and tides.

For an ocean voyage, the sailing ships would have had to wait until just after high tide before setting out, in order to benefit from riding the retreating water as the tide ebbs. Also, the winds would have to be blowing in a helpful direction.

Then once a ship has set sail in this direction and manner, it won’t be able to return anytime soon, because the tide and weather conditions simply will not allow for it. In fact, you’d have to wait up to at least six hours before the conditions would be right to do so. Possibly longer if the winds aren’t favourable. You may even have to wait days for a return journey.

The idiom then later came to be used as a metaphor for not being able to return to previous circumstances.

How and when to use the phrase ‘that ship has sailed’

To reiterate, the phrase ‘that ship has sailed’ is an idiom, or in other words, it can be used as a maritime travel metaphor, rather than having a literal meaning. It can be used in both formal and informal communication, and can refer to either personal or professional contexts.

The phrase is used to state that any previous circumstance can’t be easily returned to. This may refer to anything from previous romantic relationships, to career opportunities and more.

What are some other ways of saying ‘that ship has sailed’?

If you’re speaking with someone who may be unfamiliar with English idioms, there are other phrases that you can use in its place for easier conversation. Here are some examples to consider:

• It’s too late for that now.
• None of us can turn back time unfortunately.
• We can’t go back to the way things were.
• What happened has changed everything, we can’t go back.
• The damage has been done and it’s irrevocable.
• It’s too late for apologies, the damage is done.
• No apology can make up for what has happened.
• The opportunity is long gone.
• The window of opportunity has closed.
• It’s over, there’s no going back.
• You really think an apology is going to make it all ok?
• Get real, you had your chance and you blew it.
• Nothing you can say or do is going to make any difference whatsoever.
• I don’t want to hear it. You can’t make up for what you’ve done.
• Can’t you see? Everything’s different now, and it’s never going to be the same again.

Final word

So, to sum up, the phrase ‘that ship has sailed’ is an idiom and metaphor that means  it is too late to carry out a particular action, or to take up an opportunity, and you simply cannot return to the previous circumstances.

The phrase has its origins in maritime travel, when voyages would require the perfect weather and tidal conditions to set sail across the ocean. And once such a ship has set sail, it could be days before a ship could make that same journey again.

If you don’t want to use an idiom to convey this, there are several alternative phrases that you can use in its place, as discussed earlier.