at sea

Idioms  

1. Aboard a ship, on the ocean, as in Within a few hours the ship would be out at sea . During World War II a famous American newscaster addressed his radio broadcasts to listeners everywhere, including “all the ships at sea.” [1300s]

2. Also, all at sea . Perplexed, bewildered, as in She was all at sea in these new surroundings . This idiom transfers the condition of a vessel that has lost its bearings to the human mind. Charles Dickens used it in Little Dorrit (1855): “Mrs. Tickit ... was so plainly at sea on this part of the case.” [Second half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Moscow’s salesman-in-chief has turned the Iran war to his favor, selling oil that until recently was adrift at sea.

From The Wall Street Journal

The UK has operated continuous at-sea deterrence since 1969, with first Polaris and then Trident missiles stored on and launched from nuclear-powered submarines with the capacity to remain submerged at sea for months.

From BBC

Since 1969, the UK has operated continuous at-sea deterrence, with first Polaris and then Trident missiles stored on and launched from nuclear-powered submarines with the capacity to remain submerged at sea for months.

From BBC

Another factor dragging down crude was Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying the U.S. might “unsanction” Iranian oil that is already at sea.

From Barron's

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. could remove sanctions in the coming days from Iranian oil already at sea to relieve pressure from rising prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• baffled
• befuddled
• bewildered
• dazed
• disorganized
• distracted
• muddled
• perplexed
• perturbed
• puzzled