"Walk the plank" is a phrase often associated with pirates, referring to a method of execution where a person is forced to walk off a wooden plank extending from a ship into the sea. This act was typically used as a punishment for mutiny or other crimes, with the victim often facing drowning or being eaten by sea creatures. The concept has become a popular cultural reference, appearing in movies, books, and games. It symbolizes betrayal and danger, often depicting the harsh realities of pirate life during the Golden Age of Piracy. The phrase is also used metaphorically in modern language to describe situations where someone is put in a difficult or perilous position.