deep-sixed; deep-sixing; deep-sixes

transitive verb

1
: to get rid of : discard, eliminate
legislators voting to deep-six a government program
2
slang : to throw overboard

deep six

2 of 2

noun

slang
: a place of disposal or abandonment
used especially in the phrase give it the deep six

Examples of deep-six in a Sentence

Verb deep-sixed the documents with the incriminating evidence
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
Since then, Democratic Party insiders, Republican Party insiders, minor political parties, and many national reform and good government groups, have tried (and failed) to deep-six the system because the public overwhelmingly supports it (over 60% every year it’s polled). Jeremy Gruber, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from the leadsman's call by the deep six for a depth corresponding to the sixth deep on a sounding line

First Known Use

Verb

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deep-six was in 1922

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Cite this Entry

“Deep-six.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deep-six. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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