Ship Out

Ship Out Meaning (Phrasal Verb)

To leave or depart to a faraway place; to go on a navy mission by ship; to send something or export it, by ship or other means.

Usage Notes

This expression is usually used in regard to military members. To ship out originally meant to depart by ship but it is no longer used only to refer to travel on a ship. If a soldier says ‘I’m shipping out tomorrow’ he could well be referring to any type of travel and he simply means he is departing for a post or tour of duty far away. The idiom is sometimes used outside of the military but is most often seen in the derivative combined expression ‘shape up or ship out.’

Sentence Examples

“I ship out tomorrow. Just wanted to come say goodbye before I left.”

“Right after I left the military, my whole company shipped out to a war zone.”

“I got my orders. I’ll be shipping out to Korea next week.”

“The sailors are hitting the local bars and trying to live it up while they wait to ship out on another extended mission.”

“When we shipped out of England, l told the supply sergeant handing out cigarettes, ”l don’t smoke.””  — Saving Private Ryan (1998)

“Did you ever ship out with Ash before? I went out five times with another science officer. They replaced him two days before we left Thedus with Ash.” —  Alien (1979)

“The order is ready to ship out in the morning.”

“The company shipped out free water and food to help the refugees.”

“I need you to make sure the Phase 2 prototypes are shipped out.” —  The Avengers (2012)

“Do we still have a gun room?” “They sold the lot to a collector from Idaho or some such place. They were shipped out weeks ago.” —  Skyfall (2012)

“… all Burger Barns are built identical. They’re prefabricated. They just ship ’em out.” — What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1994)

Origin

Used in the first sense, regarding military members, since around 1900 while the second since is older, seen since 1600. The idiom uses ‘ship’ as a verb to mean ‘send by ship’ which was extended to travel by ship for military purposes. The term ship has long since been used more generally to refer to any means to transport.