smooth sailing

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.

Example Sentences

Another bag featured red Chinese characters reading "smooth sailing".

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Both hopes have come to fruition after their three opening games, with England sitting top of the table unbeaten and, though there was a near-miss against Bangladesh, it has mostly been smooth sailing.

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However, it was mostly smooth sailing from there.

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In this sense, it was smooth sailing for both sides.

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But Margaret stresses it hasn't all been smooth sailing for the couple.

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Related Words

• aplomb 
• composure 
• dexterity 
• efficiency 
• familiarity 
• flexibility 
• fluency 
• nonchalance 
• poise 
• quickness www.thesaurus.com
• simplicity