Advanced English Idioms: Idioms with Sailing Origin. Part I.

In the English language there are quite a lot of idioms that have originated from sailing. It can be accounted for by the fact that Britain is an island nation with the sea playing a major role in its history, economy and culture.

Here are some of the idioms that have been developed from sailing.

ON THE ROCKS - in serious difficulty

Russian equivalents: в бедственном положении, на краю гибели, на грани развала.

Ex.: The business we had taken over three years ago was on the rocks.
        Our relationship has been on the rocks for some time.

TO GIVE SMTH / SMB A WIDE BERTH - to avoid

Russian equivalents: избегать, держаться подальше, обходить стороной, обходить за версту, не подходить на пушечный выстрел.

Ex.: I try to give the city centre a wide berth if I possibly can, especially on Saturdays. 
       The economy was doing badly and visitors gave luxury restaurants a wide berth.

TO CUT AND RUN - to avoid a difficult situation by leaving suddenly.

Russian equivalents: отступиться, все бросить и сбежать.

Ex.: The business is doing so badly that I'm tempted to cut and run.
       The question remains open whether I'll go on enduring the sufferings of my position or cut and run, somewhere, somehow.

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES - get ready for a difficult situation by preparing in every possible ways.

 Russian equivalents: задраивать люки, готовиться к неприятностям.

Ex.: There's trouble ahead, so we'd better batten down the hatches.
        As far as road races are concerned we are having to financially batten down the hatches this year
       and all events will be self-financing.

RUN A TIGHT SHIP - control a business or organisation firmly and efficiently.
 
 Russian equivalents: установить железную дисциплину, навести строгий порядок, заставлять ходить по струнке.

Ex.: We run a tight ship, but a fair one.
       

GO BY THE BOARD - be abandoned

Russian equivalents: отступать на задний план, быть отброшенным.

Ex.: Amy's plans to buy a new car went by the board when she lost her job.
      Rules go by the board in cases of absolute necessity.

WEATHER THE STORM - survive difficult times.

Russian equivalents: пережить трудные времена, перекантоваться. 

Ex.: I know it's been hard for you, but I'm sure you'll weather the storm.
       The automation helped the company weather the storm slightly better than some of its rivals.



  Sources:
1. F. O'Dell, M. McCarthy. English Idioms in Use. Advanced.
2. Free Dictionary by Farlex.
3. The British National Corpus.