In the same boat means in the same situation, usually an unpleasant one: My train was cancelled too, so we're in the same boat. The boat joins people through shared trouble, not friendship: even rivals can end up in it. With a person: I'm in the same boat as you, meaning the same thing is happening to me.
When would you say in the same boat?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the expression fits the situation and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
be in the same boat; in the same boat as someone
- My train was cancelled too, so we're in the same boat.
- All three teams are in the same boat: none has enough volunteers.
- I can't access the shared folder either. I'm in the same boat as you.
What changed
First versionWe're in one boat because both our flights were cancelled.
RevisionWe're in the same boat because both our flights were cancelled.
One boat for everyone sounds logical, so in one boat seems fine. But in English the boat isn't one, it's the same: in the same boat. Replace one with the same, and the idiom is recognisable.
On the same page means understanding a plan the same way. In the same boat means sharing a problem, even if everyone's plans differ: All three teams are in the same boat. Same here is a short me too, with no hint of trouble.
Your turn
Two people have the same problem. They are in ___ same boat.
Show the answer
the — Same always takes the: in the same boat. A same isn't English.
Reply to a friend who has the same problem as you: a cancelled flight, a code that never arrived, a broken laptop. Use in the same boat.
We're in the same boat: neither of us has received the access code yet.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.