sail into

Idioms  

1. Attack or criticize vigorously, as in It was part of his technique to sail into the sales force at the start of their end-of-the-year meeting. This term derives from sail in the sense of “move vigorously.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

A 30-year-old Chinese seafarer on a vessel waiting to sail into the Persian Gulf describes, night and day, seeing missiles and drones flying overhead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Now, with tourism as this Indian Ocean country’s largest commodity, resort guests are setting sail into the turquoise waters with fishing rods in hand.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

His two compatriots on the dive team, whose job was to attach the explosives to the Warrior’s hull, were due to arrive on July 7, the same day the Rainbow Warrior would sail into port.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

Next, Starr wrote, “under the pretext of protecting the violated rights of French California” — where have we heard that dodge before? —warships would sail into key California harbors and … voila!

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2025

The first mate told him the crew was scared and wanted to sail into a safe harbor for the night.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney