plain sailing

American  

noun

1. Navigation.  sailing on waters that are free of hazards or obstructions.

2. an easy and unobstructed way, course, or plan.

   As an heir to a large fortune, he looked forward to financial plain sailing.

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plain sailing British  

noun

1. informal  smooth or easy progress

2. nautical sailing in a body of water that is unobstructed; clear sailing Compare plane sailing

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plain sailing Idioms  

1. Easy going; straightforward, unobstructed progress. For example, The first few months were difficult, but I think it's plain sailing from here on. Alluding to navigating waters free of hazards, such as rocks or other obstructions, this term was transferred to other activities in the early 1800s.

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Etymology

Origin of plain sailing

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

It was never going to be plain sailing.

From BBC

There have been reports that not everything has been plain sailing.

From BBC

Yet it has not all been plain sailing.

From BBC

However, it was not all plain sailing when it became clear he was not going to reach the playing heights achieved by his father.

From BBC

It has not all been plain sailing, of course, since Howe's appointment or the takeover a few weeks prior.

From BBC