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

But once the Dodger Stadium gates finally opened, everything was more or less smooth sailing.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Not everything has been smooth sailing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In anticipation of the annual holiday, we could all use some of Garten’s expert tips and tricks to whip up the perfect menus for a smooth sailing, memorable Thanksgiving celebration.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on Literature

The fact is the market has come so far so fast that even completely average corrections that are an expected part of historical trading patterns seem jarring—to investors used to smooth sailing and because a 1% drawdown is a bigger absolute number with the S&P at 6800 versus 6000.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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