smooth sailing

Idioms and Phrases

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

It was smooth sailing at first—until walkers in SWAT-like uniforms amble onto the scene.

From The Daily Beast

Expect smooth sailing for any literal reconstruction or repair.

From The Daily Beast

However, it wasn't such smooth sailing for Top Chef itself this season.

From The Daily Beast

It is for the Weehawken to clear the channel, and make smooth sailing for the remainder of the fleet.

From Project Gutenberg

They now had clear, though not smooth sailing for some nine or ten miles, when they came to another fall.

From Project Gutenberg

Theres never all smooth sailing, with maid and man for a crew.

From Project Gutenberg

After the passage of this law it was smooth sailing for Pope.

From Project Gutenberg

All was not smooth sailing, literally as well as figuratively speaking.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aplomb
• composure
• dexterity
• efficiency
• familiarity
• flexibility
• fluency
• nonchalance
• poise
• quickness
• simplicity