Jump ship Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Exit Used when someone leaves a role quickly, without warning. After losing faith in the project's future, Sarah jumped ship. Pro Tip 2/3Negative Implication Implies leaving before problems arise or avoiding responsibilities. He jumped ship before the lawsuit hit the company. Pro Tip 3/3Workplace Common Often used in a work or organizational context, more than personal settings. As soon as a better offer came, the manager jumped ship.