sink or swim

English

Etymology

Possibly from the practice of throwing a suspected witch into water.

Verb

sink or swim (third-person singular simple present sinks or swims, present participle sinking or swimming, simple past sank or swam, past participle sunk or swum)

1. To fail or succeed, no matter what.
   • 1872, Louisa May Alcott, chapter 1, in Shawl-Straps:

     "No matter, we are going, live or die, sink or swim; and I shall expect to meet you, all booted and spurred and fit for the fight, April first," said the unwavering Amanda.

   • 1920, Edgar Wallace, chapter 35, in Jack O' Judgment:

     "Now, come, Pinto, we're all in this, sink or swim."

Usage notes

• Often used to indicate that, although an endeavor may fail or succeed, it will still be attempted with determination.

Translations

to fail or succeed, on a project attempted

• Dutch: erop of eronder (nl)
• Finnish: mennä syteen tai saveen
• French: marche ou crève (fr) (move/walk or expire)
• Polish: wóz albo przewóz (pl) (a car or transport)
• Russian: пан или пропал (ru) (pan ili propal)
• Swedish: bära eller brista (carry/bear or break)
• Vietnamese: được ăn cả, ngã về không

See also

• make-or-break
• do-or-die