PLAIN SAILING Definition & Meaning

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plain sailing

noun

Navigation. sailing on waters that are free of hazards or obstructions. Compare plane sailing.
an easy and unobstructed way, course, or plan:
As an heir to a large fortune, he looked forward to financial plain sailing.

plain sailing

noun

informal.
smooth or easy progress
nautical sailing in a body of water that is unobstructed; clear sailing Compare plane sailing

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of plain sailing¹

First recorded in 1800–10

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Idioms and Phrases

Easy going; straightforward, unobstructed progress. For example, The first few months were difficult, but I think it's plain sailing from here on . Alluding to navigating waters free of hazards, such as rocks or other obstructions, this term was transferred to other activities in the early 1800s.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Despite the rapid rise, it hasn't all been plain sailing for the young full-back.

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It was not all plain sailing in the first half against Scotland as a disallowed try prevented the visitors from leading at half-time.

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But it has not been plain sailing since.

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But her voyage to modern times has been far from plain sailing, after twice being abandoned to the elements.

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"It wasn't all plain sailing, but we got there in the end."

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

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