set sail

Idioms and Phrases

Also, make sail . Begin a voyage on water, as in Dad rented a yacht, and we're about to set sail for the Caribbean , or We'll make sail for the nearest port . These expressions, dating from the early 1500s, originally meant “put the sails in position to catch the wind,” and hence cause the vessel to move.

Example Sentences

Then they set sail for open water, where they were assured someone would rescue them.

From The Daily Beast

On August 22, some 88 ships set sail for the southern point of Brooklyn allowing more than 22,000 troops to begin their attack.

From The Daily Beast

Some 7,000 Confederates set sail for Brazil in the aftermath of the American Civil War, settling in a city called Americana.

From The Daily Beast

With funding from ten private donors, the first abortion ship, Aurora, set sail for Ireland in 2001.

From The Daily Beast

He was 56 when he set sail in 1967 and wandered the high seas, getting kicked out of foreign ports.

From The Daily Beast

I shall do so, God willing, as soon as the vessels about to go to Nueva España have set sail.

From Project Gutenberg

So once more the ships set sail, and soon reached the shores of one of the Philippines, but a short distance from Alila's home.

From Project Gutenberg

Just as the fleet was about to set sail again, something happened to change Magellan's plans.

From Project Gutenberg

And with that he bid me ‘Good day,’ and on the morrow he set sail in a full-rigged ship for the sunny land of Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

Hither came to me Captain Lambert to take his leave of me, he being this day to set sail for the Straights.

From Project Gutenberg