in the same boat

Idioms

Also, all in the same boat. In a similar situation, in the same position. For example, Everyone's got too much work—we're all in the same boat. This expression alludes to the risks shared by passengers in a small boat at sea. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But once their systems reach a certain level of size and complexity, Zechner adds, they find themselves in the same boat as larger enterprises, which have found AI agents to be of limited use.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

And, Alana said, she’s not alone: “Anyone who’s an average person is in the same boat, we’re all just trying to stay afloat.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

"It's going to throw everything at you, everyone is in the same boat and you really have to dial in on your targets," Korda said.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

Tyler Cromer, a principal at ATI Advisory, said we’re all basically in the same boat as Weitzel.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

We were, literally and figuratively, in the same boat.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023