English Idioms from A-Z

Full Fathom Five

"Full fathom five" is a phrase that comes from William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest." In the play, it refers to the drowning of a character named Ferdinand's father. The phrase means that the person has sunk to the bottom of the ocean and is now five fathoms deep (a fathom is a unit of measurement for depth, equal to six feet).

In modern usage, "full fathom five" is often used to refer to something that has been lost or destroyed, particularly something that has been lost at sea. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or relationship that has come to an end.

For example, you might say, "After the company went bankrupt, their dreams of success were full fathom five." Or, "After the breakup, their relationship was full fathom five."

Overall, "full fathom five" is a poetic and dramatic way to describe something that has been lost or destroyed, particularly something that has been lost at sea.


The usage of the idiom 'Full Fathom Five' in a sentence

• Full fathom five, my father lies. (This is a line from Shakespeare's play "The Tempest.")

• The mystery of the sunken treasure, full fathom five, haunted the divers for years.

• The artist's painting of the mermaid, floating full fathom five, captured the imagination of art lovers around the world.

• The author's vivid description of the underwater world, full fathom five, left readers breathless with wonder.

• The ship sank full fathom five and was lost forever in the depths of the sea.

• The diver explored the wreck, full fathom five, searching for clues to the ship's untimely demise.

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