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.

Origin of plain sailing

First recorded in 1800–10

Example sentences from the Web for plain sailing

British Dictionary definitions for 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

Idioms and Phrases with plain sailing

plain sailing

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.