at sea
Idioms-
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]
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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]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After more than a month at sea, Sato’s ordeal ended last week when the crew of a shipping vessel operated by Pasha Hawaii spotted and rescued him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
His team tested the Freefly drone after it arrived in Nepal and found it could lift 33 pounds at sea level.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
Home Office figures show 366 people arrived in the UK on three boats on Thursday during warm, sunny weather and calm conditions at sea.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
"Now we don't get as much as before," she said, blaming destructive fishing methods, particularly the use of lights at sea, for the depleting stocks.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
"Lost at sea? The sea is their home."
From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
