THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Smooth sailing
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
An easy experience or period with few or no problems.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Once we fixed the login problem, the rest of the training was smooth sailing.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Once we fixed the login problem, the rest of the training was ________.
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Smooth sailing — An easy experience or period with few or no problems.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Smooth sailing” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
An easy experience or period with few or no problems.
Compare: Once we fixed the login problem, the rest of the training was smooth sailing.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it conversationally when a task proceeds easily, often after an earlier difficulty. It is a US variation of plain sailing.
More examples in context
- We checked the equipment beforehand and hoped for smooth sailing during the workshop.
- The move was not all smooth sailing, but we settled in eventually.
Usage note
“Not all smooth sailing” means there were some difficulties. The expression can describe ordinary work or life, without any actual sailing.
A short conversation
A: How did the event go after the late start?
B: It was smooth sailing once everyone had arrived.
A: I am glad the rest went well.
One more practice question
What does “It was not all smooth sailing” suggest?
A. There were some difficulties along the way.
B. Everything happened without a single difficulty.
Check your answer
A. The negative form tells us the experience included problems.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.