Waiting for One’s Ship to Come In: A Voyage Through Idioms ⛵
The phrase “wait for one’s ship to come in” means to wait for a significant and fortuitous event or opportunity that brings wealth or good fortune, reminiscent of awaiting a sixteenth-century merchant ship returning home brimming with valuable cargo.
Related and Similar Terms
- Waiting for Godot: A term derived from Samuel Beckett’s play, meaning waiting for something that will never come.
- Patience Pays Off: The idea that waiting and being patient can eventually result in success.
- Good Things Come to Those Who Wait: A proverb suggesting that patience is often rewarded.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms: Yearn, expect, anticipate.
- Antonyms: Give up, abandon.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “I’d be unstoppable if only my ship would come in. Until then, please excuse my rowing technique.” – Anonymous
Proverbs
- “All things come to him who waits.”
Literature & References
- The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
- John Halifax, Gentleman by Miss Mulock (1857)
- God’s Little Acre by Erskine Caldwell (1933)
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
Keep hope alive as you await your ship. Remember, fortune favours the patient, and the seas may be rough, but the destination is often worth the wait.
### Which of the following implies anticipated fortune?
- [x] Waiting for one’s ship to come in
- [ ] Supporting an ironclad
- [ ] Sailing with a paper ship
- [ ] Flying in a wooden plane
> **Explanation**: "Waiting for one’s ship to come in" is used to describe anticipating a significant income or success akin to awaiting a laden merchant ship. The rest are whimsical distractions. 😆
### True or False: "When my ship comes in" means waiting for your online shopping order.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation**: False. The idiom means waiting for good fortune or a big opportunity, derived from the rich-laden ships of yore.
