when (one's) ship comes in

When one becomes wealthy and/or successful. When my ship comes in, I'm moving out of this disgusting little apartment first thing!

when someone's ship comes in (or home)

when someone's fortune is made.

This expression dates back to the period of Britain's maritime empire, when the safe arrival of a valuable cargo meant an instant fortune for the owner and those who had shares in the enterprise.

See also: come, ship

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

when (one's) ship comes in
when my ship comes in
when one's ship comes in
when ship comes in
when your ship comes in
when your ship/boat comes in
(one's) ship comes in
be broad in the beam
broad in the beam
gather way

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