# ditch

/ˈdɪtʃ/ (US) · /dˈɪtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ditch
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a trench for water

noun · CEFR B1

a long, narrow hole dug in the ground, usually to carry water away from a road or field.

For teachers: a narrow excavation dug in the earth, typically for the purpose of drainage, irrigation, or as a boundary marker.

- The car slid off the icy road and ended up in a muddy ditch.
- Heavy rainfall caused the drainage ditch to overflow, flooding the adjacent fields and damaging the young crops.

### 2. to get rid of

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to stop using something or to leave someone behind because you do not want them anymore.

For teachers: to abandon or discard a person, object, or plan, often abruptly or without ceremony.

- He decided to ditch his old sofa and buy a new one for the apartment.
- The company chose to ditch the original marketing strategy after the initial pilot programme failed to attract the target demographic.

### 3. to skip school

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to stay away from school or a class without permission.

For teachers: to deliberately absent oneself from school or a scheduled obligation without authorisation.

- They decided to ditch their afternoon classes to go to the cinema.
- Several students were caught trying to ditch the assembly, leading to a strict warning from the headteacher.

### 4. to land on water

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to land an aircraft on water in an emergency.

For teachers: to perform a forced landing of an aircraft on water, typically following engine failure or other critical emergencies.

- The pilot had to ditch the plane in the river after both engines failed.
- The flight crew was praised for their composure while preparing the passengers to ditch the aircraft in the ocean after a total loss of power.

## Examples

- I decided to ditch my old car and start walking to work.
- The group had to ditch their original travel plans when the main highway was closed due to heavy snow.
- In a desperate bid to save the failing startup, the founders chose to ditch their secondary product line and focus exclusively on their core software.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.