Английский словарь американских идиом - sink or swim

{v. phr.} To succeed or fail by your own efforts, without help or interference from anyone else; fail if you don't work hard to succeed. * /When Joe was fourteen, his parents died, and he was left by himself to sink or swim./ * /Tom's new job was confusing and no one had time to help him learn, so he had to sink or swim./