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]
-
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.
CEO Jason Liberty told analysts that the company is “effectively miniaturizing” some of its ocean ships to give river passengers what they get at sea.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
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
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
Earlier in the week, China's ambassador to Manila told reporters the recent clash at sea would have no effect on the push for a Code of Conduct for the crucial waterway.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
If you are looking for ships at sea, the curvature of the globe means that the limit of how far you can see is determined by the horizon.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
