smooth sailing

Idioms  

1. Easy progress, as in We had a hard time setting up the new computer system but it'll be smooth sailing from here on. The smooth in this idiom alludes to calm waters, free from big waves or roughness, a usage dating from the late 1300s. The transfer to other kinds of easy progress dates from the second half of the 1900s. Also see plain sailing.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

smooth sailing

We got lost once, and our entourage received several perplexed glances from workers, but otherwise it was smooth sailing.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

As wide of a lead as the Dodgers have in the division race, their season hasn’t been smooth sailing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

It hasn’t been smooth sailing in the furniture space this calendar year as the industry has dealt with tariffs, the conflict in the Middle East, and housing market woes.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

Development has not been smooth sailing though, with makers IO Interactive announcing a two-month delay to the release in December to "further polish" it.

From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026

It is smooth sailing & I was able to take a much needed rest.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

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Related Words

• aplomb
• composure
• dexterity
• efficiency
• familiarity
• flexibility
• fluency
• nonchalance
• poise
• quickness
• simplicity

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