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Meaning & use

running a tight ship

phrase·Advancedinformalfigurative

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UK/ˌrʌnɪŋ ə ˌtaɪt ˈʃɪp/
US/ˌrʌnɪŋ ə ˌtaɪt ˈʃɪp/

Meaning

  1. phraseidiom

    Managing an organization, team or household in a strict, efficient and well-organized way.

    Grammar: Verb changes with tense and subject: she runs a tight ship.

    Patterns

    • run a tight ship
    • someone runs a tight ship

    The head chef runs a tight ship, and nothing leaves the kitchen late.

    Our new manager is running a tight ship, so expect strict deadlines.

    My grandmother ran a tight ship at home and everyone had a job.

Common combinations

run a tight ship
The coach runs a tight ship on and off the field.
known for running a tight ship
She is known for running a tight ship.
keep a tight ship
He kept a tight ship at the small shop.
runs a very tight ship
Our principal runs a very tight ship.

Synonyms and how they differ

manage efficiently
Manage efficiently is plain and neutral, while running a tight ship adds a sense of strict control.
keep order
Keep order is about discipline and behavior, while the idiom also covers money and time.
keep a firm hand
Keep a firm hand focuses on strong control over people, while the idiom also stresses efficiency.

Opposites

run a loose shiplet things slide

Word family

tight adjective
strictly controlled or firmly fixed
ship noun
a large vessel on water, used figuratively for an organization
shipshape adjective
neat and in good order

Commonly confused: running a tight ship or run aground?

running a tight ship vs run aground

Run aground means a ship hits the bottom, or figuratively that a plan fails. Running a tight ship means managing well.

Practice

The factory owner insists on punctual shifts and tidy workspaces; she is known for ___.

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