set sail

1. Also, make sail. Begin a voyage on water, as in Dad rented a yacht, and we're about to set sail for the Caribbean, or We'll make sail for the nearest port. These expressions, dating from the early 1500s, originally meant “put the sails in position to catch the wind,” and hence cause the vessel to move.

Example Sentences

The Disney Adventure is expected to set sail in Asia in March.

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“Anyone can pack a suitcase, but only the brave set sail,” as Agatha Swanburne also said.

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A look at the vessels preparing to set sail revealed why.

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She glanced about to make sure no one was watching, but the crew was hard at work, preparing to set sail.

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“This is no time for a Russian novel, sir. The ship will soon set sail, and two stowaways on board is one stowaway too many. I must ask you to leave.”

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