What does the idiom 'Like two ships passing in the night' mean?

[Anonymous]

Last day, a friend of mine used this phrase during a chat I couldn't say I didn't know. Does anybody know what it means?

[imjustadude]

All these people saying this has anything to do with sex are wrong. Ships passing in the night don't bump into each other on purpose. Most people say this when they live in the same city as someone they know but never see or interact with them. Or they pass someone out on the street but do not even acknowledge they are there. If someone says it about someone they live with it means they rarely interact with them and they have different priorities. Everyone has different goals and are different points on their life's journey just like ships are heading towards different destinations. Passing at night means you may not see them and if you do you stay out of each other's way.

[Anonymous]

It means there is no or limited interaction.

If you imagine 2 ships passing each other in the night they will be aware of the others existance because of the navigational lights and perhaps some short message can be exchanged but thats about it.

One person comes home as another leaves, perhaps they say hello but there is no time for much else.

It isn't necessarily completely strict though, you might say 'a bit like ships passing in the night' so perhaps you have spent some time interacting with the person just not as much as you would have liked.

[jennifer_bloom]

It means your closer to each other emotionally and mentally than you appear in the physical world, it might mean he believes you secretly like him.

[AI Opinion]

Ships that Pass in the Night Meaning

Ships that pass in the night is an old saying that is often used to describe two people who meet briefly and then go their separate ways.

• The saying is often used to describe two people who are not meant to be together.
• The saying is most likely derived from a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. In the poem, two lovers meet fleetingly and then part ways. The poem is about the fleeting nature of love and how two people can be so close and yet so far apart.

The saying has been used in many different ways over the years:

• It can be used to describe two people who meet by chance and then part ways, or it can be used to describe two people who are not meant to be together.
• The saying can also be used to describe two ships that pass in the night.

Where Does the Phrase Two Ships Passing in the Night Come From?

The phrase "two ships passing in the night" is a metaphor for two people who meet fleetingly and then part ways.

• It is often used to describe brief, unfulfilling relationships. The phrase likely originated in nautical circles, as ships passing at night is a common occurrence. Sailors would see other ships on the horizon and wave to them, but the ships would quickly disappear into the distance.
• These days, the phrase is often used to describe relationships that are fleeting and without much substance.
• While there's nothing wrong with casual relationships, this phrase is often used to describe relationships that are unsatisfying and leave people longing for more.

[purplepoppy]

Gruffrus covers it perfectly. I'd add it normally refers to an interesting interaction, usually a pleasant one, with some one you meet on lifes journey. For example you might meet someone interesting on a train and if people ask are you seeing them again reply no we passed like 2 ships...

[Phoenix98]

It’s often used to describe people who have a brief but intense moment upon meeting who will never meet again like two ships passing each other in the night.

[normalice]

It means they want casual sex between strangers and then to move on to remaining strangers thereafter. It's usually a male's pipe dream.

[Grl2live_nlearn4u]

I think it means that it only happens once and it's like a NSA opportunity to have fun if the feeling is right.

[Blueeyes81]

It means a brief interaction. Two people may meet and connect for a brief period of time but go on about their lives. It just means shirt lived.

[Blueeyes81]

Shirt=short

[OddBeMe]

Seeing a ship only on radar or gps…not actually seeing them, because its dark. Usually to describe a one night stand.

[Anonymous]

Two people living part of their lives in proximity of one another but not interacting directly. They may or may not be aware of one another.

[tsubasa2607]

Usualy to describe a one night stand honey