deep six

¹

noun

, Slang.

1. burial or discarding at sea.
2. complete rejection or ruin.

deep-six

²

[ deep-siks ]

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

1. to throw overboard.
2. to get rid of; abandon; discard.
3. to reject, negate, or ruin:

   The team deep-sixed the manager's attempt to call Sunday practice.

deep-six

verb

1. slang.
   tr to dispose of (something, such as documents) completely; destroy

deep-six

1. To dispose of, discard, or get rid of: “The board of directors deep-sixed the proposal without even reading it.” This phrase is derived from the noun “deep six,” meaning burial at sea and referring to the depth of water necessary for such a burial. The term was later used as slang for a grave (customarily six feet underground) and, by extension, as a verb meaning “to kill.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of deep six¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Origin of deep six²

First recorded in 1950–55; v. use of deep six

Word History and Origins

Origin of deep six¹

C20: from six feet deep, the traditional depth for a grave

Example Sentences

Not surprisingly, Durham never bothered to follow up on this information, preferring instead to “deep six” any incriminating evidence against the then-president.

From Salon

But during a routine house visit in June, the co-owner of Deep Six Pest Control in Seguin, Texas, encountered something he hadn’t seen before in his 13 years in the business.

From National Geographic

He has gone deep six times over his last eight games.

From Seattle Times

The "Deep Six" singer, who was dropped by his record label following the allegations, also shared an Instagram post on Monday denying all of the allegations towards him.

From Fox News

The censorship targeted his article about the effort by mainstream news organizations and social media platforms to deep six the story because it is potentially damaging to the elder Mr. Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee.

From Washington Times