deep-six
MediumInformal, Slang
Definition
Meaning
To dispose of or discard something completely; to get rid of permanently.
To reject, cancel, or terminate a plan, project, or idea; metaphorically to 'bury' something. Originally nautical slang for burial at sea (a depth of six fathoms).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a verb. Conveys a sense of decisive, sometimes covert or final, elimination. Often implies an action that prevents recovery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and remains predominantly American English, though it is understood in British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of finality and, at times, underhandedness. In American contexts, it's strongly associated with bureaucratic or corporate decision-making.
Frequency
Much more common in American English. British speakers are more likely to use alternatives like 'scrap', 'bin', 'axe', or 'shelve'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + deep-six + Direct Object (e.g., They deep-sixed the proposal.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “give something the deep six”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The board decided to deep-six the merger talks after seeing the latest figures."
Academic
Rare. Might appear in informal discourse about research: "They had to deep-six the initial hypothesis."
Everyday
"I'm going to deep-six these old magazines."
Technical
Not typical. The original nautical usage is historical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee voted to deep-six the controversial planning application.
- He secretly deep-sixed the incriminating documents in the Thames.
American English
- Management decided to deep-six the product line after poor sales.
- The senator was accused of trying to deep-six the investigation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The company deep-sixed the old software.
- We should deep-six these broken chairs.
- Fearing bad publicity, they quietly deep-sixed the proposed policy change.
- The editor deep-sixed my article without giving a reason.
- The controversial findings were deep-sixed by a senior official, effectively burying the report for years.
- Investors pressured the startup to deep-six its ambitious but costly expansion plans.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine throwing an old phone into the ocean where it sinks SIX fathoms DEEP – you'll never get it back.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION/DISCARDING IS BURIAL (AT SEA)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation "глубокий шесть". The phrase is purely idiomatic. Use verbs like "похоронить (план)", "положить под сукно", "списать".
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'They gave it a deep-six.') is possible but less common than the verb form. Hyphenation is standard.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'deep-six' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's less common. The noun form ('give something the deep six') means an act of discarding or termination.
It comes from nautical slang, where 'six fathoms deep' (36 feet) was a traditional depth for burial at sea.
It is firmly informal or slang. Avoid it in formal academic or official writing.
Not always, but it often carries a connotation of decisiveness and finality, which can sometimes be perceived as negative or covert, especially when the action is controversial.