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general::
Phrase(s): One hand for oneself and one for the ship.
Prov. When you are on a ship, always use one hand to steady yourself, and one to work; likewise, always put some effort into safeguarding yourself as well as into working. • The old sailor chastised us for forgetting to hold onto something during the rough weather. "One hand for yourself and one for the ship," he bellowed. • This company expects you to work hard, but not so hard that you hurt yourself. One hand for yourself and one for the ship.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs