Walk the plank
verb phrase
To be forced, often with the threat of violence, to walk off a plank extended over the side of a ship into the sea, resulting in drowning.
Pirates would often force their prisoners to walk the plank.
Often appears as...
- walk the plank
- forced to walk the plank
Usage tips
Historical,Idiomatic
verb phrase
To be pushed out of your job or position, or to be made to leave a group.
After the scandal, the CEO had to walk the plank.
Often appears as...
- made to walk the plank
- forced to walk the plank
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To be forced, often with the threat of violence, to walk off a plank extended over the side of a ship into the sea, resulting in drowning.
Pirates would often force their prisoners to walk the plank.
Often appears as...
- walk the plank
- forced to walk the plank
Usage tips
Historical,Idiomatic
verb phrase
To be pushed out of your job or position, or to be made to leave a group.
After the scandal, the CEO had to walk the plank.
Often appears as...
- made to walk the plank
- forced to walk the plank
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Pirate Imagery
Invokes images of pirates and high-seas adventures; mainly used in storytelling or metaphors.
In the novel, the rogue captain made the traitor walk the plank.
Pro Tip 2/3Extreme Consequences
Represents a harsh, usually unfair, punishment, similar to being condemned without a trial.
The character was unfairly accused and had to walk the plank.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
While dramatic, actual historical occurrences of this practice were rare.
Walking the plank is more a myth than a common pirate practice.
Pro Tip 1/3Pirate Imagery
Invokes images of pirates and high-seas adventures; mainly used in storytelling or metaphors.
In the novel, the rogue captain made the traitor walk the plank.
Pro Tip 2/3Extreme Consequences
Represents a harsh, usually unfair, punishment, similar to being condemned without a trial.
The character was unfairly accused and had to walk the plank.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
While dramatic, actual historical occurrences of this practice were rare.
Walking the plank is more a myth than a common pirate practice.
Pro Tip 1/3Pirate Imagery
Invokes images of pirates and high-seas adventures; mainly used in storytelling or metaphors.
In the novel, the rogue captain made the traitor walk the plank.
Pro Tip 2/3Extreme Consequences
Represents a harsh, usually unfair, punishment, similar to being condemned without a trial.
The character was unfairly accused and had to walk the plank.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
While dramatic, actual historical occurrences of this practice were rare.
Walking the plank is more a myth than a common pirate practice.
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