run a tight ship
RUN ah TYT SHIP
rʌn ə taɪt ʃɪpListen
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Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
to manage an organisation, team, or operation with high standards of discipline, efficiency, and attention to detail, ensuring that every member performs their role correctly and that procedures are followed rigorously with no slack or tolerance for carelessness; the nautical metaphor recalls the strict discipline required aboard a sailing vessel, where ropes, rigging, and crew must all be under precise control for safe navigation; to run a tight ship is a compliment implying effective management, though it can also carry connotations of rigidity or an unwillingness to tolerate deviation that might inhibit creativity or flexibility
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