at sea

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]

Example Sentences

The title refers to the pressure inside a bottle of Champagne or Champagne-method sparkling wine: up to six times the average atmospheric pressure at sea level.

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Greece has always maintained it fully respects human rights and has rescued more than 250,000 people at sea in the past decade.

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Cdr Hutchinson said: "In recent years we have seen the effect that autonomy and uncrewed systems can have at sea, on land and in the air, especially in Ukraine."

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The vessel has been sitting on the sands of King Edward's Bay, in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, since 10 September following the rescue of a sailor who said he had been at sea for 45 days.

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Last year, for instance, was a “hell hotel,” with rooms themed to demented clowns or terror at sea.

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Related Words

• baffled 
• befuddled 
• bewildered 
• dazed 
• disorganized 
• distracted 
• muddled 
• perplexed 
• perturbed 
• puzzled www.thesaurus.com