Heave to

verb

To slow down or stop a ship by adjusting the sails (in a specific way).

The captain ordered the crew to heave to during the storm.
Visual representation of "heave to" - To slow down or stop a ship by adjusting the sails (in a specific way).

Often appears as...

  • ship heave to
  • heave to in a storm

Usage tips

Technical

verb

To make a sudden stop or halt in movement, often abruptly.

The car heaved to a stop.
Visual representation of "heave to" - To make a sudden stop or halt in movement, often abruptly.

Often appears as...

  • car heave to
  • heave to a stop

Usage tips

Colloquial

verb

To slow down or stop a ship by adjusting the sails (in a specific way).

The captain ordered the crew to heave to during the storm.
Visual representation of "heave to" - To slow down or stop a ship by adjusting the sails (in a specific way).

Often appears as...

  • ship heave to
  • heave to in a storm

Usage tips

Technical

verb

To make a sudden stop or halt in movement, often abruptly.

The car heaved to a stop.
Visual representation of "heave to" - To make a sudden stop or halt in movement, often abruptly.

Often appears as...

  • car heave to
  • heave to a stop

Usage tips

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "heave to"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Nautical Origin

Originally a sailing term, used mainly in marine contexts.

Illustration for Nautical Origin
During maneuvers, we were taught how to heave to.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emergency Action

Used for safety during storms or to avoid danger.

Illustration for Emergency Action
To avoid capsizing, they had to heave to until the squall passed.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Stability at Sea

When heaving to, the ship maintains a stable position in the water.

Illustration for Stability at Sea
Heave to and maintain this position until further notice.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Nautical Origin

Originally a sailing term, used mainly in marine contexts.

Illustration for Nautical Origin
During maneuvers, we were taught how to heave to.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emergency Action

Used for safety during storms or to avoid danger.

Illustration for Emergency Action
To avoid capsizing, they had to heave to until the squall passed.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Stability at Sea

When heaving to, the ship maintains a stable position in the water.

Illustration for Stability at Sea
Heave to and maintain this position until further notice.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Nautical Origin

Originally a sailing term, used mainly in marine contexts.

Illustration for Nautical Origin
During maneuvers, we were taught how to heave to.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emergency Action

Used for safety during storms or to avoid danger.

Illustration for Emergency Action
To avoid capsizing, they had to heave to until the squall passed.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Stability at Sea

When heaving to, the ship maintains a stable position in the water.

Illustration for Stability at Sea
Heave to and maintain this position until further notice.
Visual representation of the word "Heave to"

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