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

The prescription for U.S. policy, then, should be clear: deep-six the sequester.

From The Daily Beast

I have wanted to deep-six our opening credits for about two years.

From The Daily Beast