plain sailing
Navigation. sailing on waters that are free of hazards or obstructions.: Compare plane sailing.
an easy and unobstructed way, course, or plan: As an heir to a large fortune, he looked forward to financial plain sailing.
Origin of plain sailing
1Words Nearby plain sailing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use plain sailing in a sentence
The deal may not be plain sailing, though, most notably due to the two companies’ differing business models.
Nvidia’s Arm Acquisition Brings the Two Key Technologies of This Century Under One Roof | Edd Gent | September 21, 2020 | Singularity Hub“That is a fast boat, and we can never catch her in plain sailing,” said Allan Harding.
The Rival Campers | Ruel Perley SmithThey were told the guns could go on their own carriages, as it would be a stiff pull over Akra Dagh, but plain sailing after that!
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. WigramIt was all such plain-sailing for him, she pointed out; he did not like this Home Rule, and therefore he must vote against it.
Margaret Ogilvy | J. M. BarrieIt was understood between us that you would prepare Mrs. Burnside, so that it might all be plain sailing.
The Quiver 3/1900 | Anonymous
This was all plain sailing enough; the report was good enough to justify his exercising his option.
The Angel of Pain | E. F. Benson
British Dictionary definitions for plain sailing
informal smooth or easy progress
nautical sailing in a body of water that is unobstructed; clear sailing: Compare plane sailing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with plain sailing
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.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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