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Glite Dictionary
to give it the deep six

to give it the deep six

9.9
To throw something away and stop using it
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : tirar
  • After years of collecting dust, she finally decided to give it the deep six and throw it away.

Examples

  • If that old computer still doesn't work, it's time to give it the deep six.

  • The committee chose to give it the deep six when the proposal proved unworkable.

  • Just give it the deep six!

  • Don't hesitate to give it the deep six if it no longer serves you!

  • After years of collecting dust, she finally decided to give it the deep six and throw it away.

  • If that old computer still doesn't work, it's time to give it the deep six.

  • The committee chose to give it the deep six when the proposal proved unworkable.

Synonyms

to dump
vsto give it the deep six
541 2.6

To drop or throw things away in a careless way

is similar but stresses deliberate and final removal rather than carelessness
to throw away
vsto give it the deep six
477 1.8

To get rid of something you do not want, for example by putting it in the bin

is the idiomatic, more colorful way to express that action
to throw out
vsto give it the deep six
202 1.8

To put something in the trash because you do not want it

is the same idea but in a slangy or idiomatic form
to dispose
vsto give it the deep six
149 3.4

Get rid of something by throwing it away, selling it, or giving it to someone

is narrower and stresses throwing away completely rather than other means
to discard
vsto give it the deep six
130 2.7

To throw something away because you no longer want or need it

implies doing this in an informal idiomatic way rather than neutral speech
to toss out
vsto give it the deep six
39 2.7

To throw away things you do not want

adds an idiomatic tone that feels more final or emphatic
to trash
vsto give it the deep six
  • US
34 1.0

To throw away something you no longer want

is a slangy expression that emphasizes complete removal
to scrap
vsto give it the deep six
30 3.7

To throw away something that is no longer useful

focuses instead on an idiomatic complete getting rid of items
to junk
vsto give it the deep six
13 3.0

To throw away things that are no longer useful

is more idiomatic and less judgemental in tone
to toss away
vsto give it the deep six
5 2.0

To throw something away because you no longer want or need it

uses a stronger idiom to stress full removal rather than casual discarding
to cast away
vsto give it the deep six
4 4.1

To throw away things you no longer want

is an idiomatic, forceful way to say the same complete removal
to chuck out
vsto give it the deep six
  • UK
1 3.7

To throw away things you do not want

is a more colorful idiom that often feels stronger or more final
to deep six
vsto give it the deep six
  • Informal
1 8.6

To get rid of something permanently

is an informal phrase meaning to remove something completely

Antonyms

to keep
∞ 1.0

To store something for later use

to save
∞ 1.0

Keep something for use later

How Completely Removed

to destroy
∞ 1.0
to give it the deep six
  • Informal
9.9
to discard
130 2.7
to set aside
22 3.9
to put away
225 2.0

Surface Forms

give it the deep six infinitive

Morphology

give + it + the + deep + six

The sense 'to throw away; get rid of completely' cannot be derived from the literal meanings of 'give', 'it', 'the', 'deep' and 'six'—'deep six' is idiomatic naval slang for disposal/burial at sea. This historical/metaphorical meaning is language-specific and unpredictable, so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would not reliably infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Give it the deep six may come from old sailors who would throw things overboard into very deep water, and the word six was used to name a deep spot where items were lost for good. So, 'to give it the deep six' means 'to throw something away' or 'to get rid of it completely'.