PhrasesHub

Plain sailing

    Definitions

      • to describe a situation that is going smoothly and without any difficulties
        to convey that a task or activity is easy and uncomplicated, without any obstacles or challenges

      • to suggest that a situation is predictable and straightforward
        to indicate that a situation is stable and predictable, with no unexpected or surprising developments

    Examples of Plain sailing

    • The student's final exams were a breeze. Everything went according to plan and there were no unexpected challenges. It was like sailing on a calm sea with no wind or waves.

      The phrase "plain sailing" here implies that the student's exams were very easy to pass as there were no difficulties or obstacles that could have disrupted his/her performance. The use of the nautical metaphor of "calm sea" emphasizes the ease with which the student sailed through the exams.

    • The project was a successful venture from start to finish. There were no major setbacks or roadblocks, and everything went smoothly. We can say that it was plain sailing all the way.

      In this context, "plain sailing" refers to a situation where everything runs smoothly without any hindrances or disruptions. The use of the phrase for a project implies that the project was executed efficiently, without any major hurdles or obstacles.

    • The athlete had an effortless victory in the race. She led from the start and finished strong, leaving her opponents far behind. This was definitely an instance of plain sailing.

      The phrase here describes a situation where everything comes easily and without much effort. In this context, it's used to depict an athlete's overwhelming victory, where the athlete seems to have had an easy time and was able to finish far ahead of her competitors.

    • The team's training camp was a success. It was plain sailing all the way, with great focus and dedication from everyone involved. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome.

      Here, the phrase "plain sailing" signifies a situation where everything goes according to plan, and the desired outcome is achieved without any setbacks or difficulties. The metaphor used here is that of a calm sea where the team's focus and dedication were the wind powering their sails, making their training camp a successful voyage.

    • The computer technology industry has seen plain sailing in recent years, with unprecedented growth and innovation across the board.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation that is easy and straightforward, with no major obstacles or challenges. In this specific example, it suggests that the computer technology industry has experienced significant growth and progress without encountering many significant obstacles or difficulties.

    • The marathon runner found plain sailing in the early stages of the race, but encountered steep hills and strong winds towards the finish line.

      In this example, the use of "plain sailing" is juxtaposed with the subsequent challenges the runner faces. Initially, the runner's progress is smooth and easy, but as the race progresses, the terrain becomes more challenging, making the final stretch of the race more difficult.

    • The new product launch was plain sailing, with overwhelmingly positive customer feedback and record sales in the first month.

      This example highlights the commercial success achieved by the new product launch, indicating that it was an uncomplicated and straightforward process, resulting in highly favourable customer reactions and substantial sales.

    • Despite the intense competition, the sales team encountered plain sailing in the first quarter, exceeding their targets by a significant margin.

      Here, the use of "plain sailing" highlights the exceptional performance achieved by the sales team during the first quarter, which was free of complications and challenges. Their success was markedly greater than that which was anticipated, demonstrating their abilities and achievements in this area.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "plain sailing" is used to describe a situation that is going smoothly and without any difficulties. It can also convey that a task or activity is easy and uncomplicated, without any obstacles or challenges. Additionally, it is used to suggest that a situation is predictable and straightforward, indicating that it is stable and predictable, with no unexpected or surprising developments.

    Origin of "Plain sailing"

    The origin of the idiom "plain sailing" can be traced back to the world of sailing. In sailing, "plain sailing" refers to a situation where the wind and sea conditions are favorable, making the journey smooth and easy. This nautical origin has been adopted into everyday language to describe any situation that is going smoothly and without any difficulties. The idiom is often used to convey a sense of ease and simplicity, drawing on the imagery of a smooth and predictable sailing journey. Over time, it has become a commonly used expression to describe any situation that is easy and uncomplicated. For example, "Once we got the funding, it was plain sailing from there."