Synonyms

smooth sailing

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Spain's journey since their 2010 World Cup triumph has not exactly been smooth sailing.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 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 wasn’t all smooth sailing in that crisis either.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

All was smooth sailing till eight weeks into their journey when, on the verge of uncharted waters, they came across the longboat filled with human bones.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

smooth sailing

Example Sentences

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