sea legs
plural noun
the ability to adjust one's sense of balance to the motion of a ship at sea: He stumbled about the deck for three days before getting his sea legs.
the ability to remain free of seasickness.
Origin of sea legs
First recorded in 1705–15
Words nearby sea legs
sea lamprey,
sea lane,
sea lavender,
sea lawyer,
sea leather,
sea legs,
sea letter,
sea lettuce,
sea level,
sea lily,
sea lion
Example sentences from the Web for sea legs
British Dictionary definitions for sea legs
sea legs
pl n informal
the ability to maintain one's balance on board ship, esp in rough weather
the ability to resist seasickness, esp in rough weather
Cultural definitions for sea legs
sea legs
To “have one's sea legs” is to be able to walk calmly and steadily on a tossing ship, or to become accustomed to a new or strange situation: “Even though Kimberly just joined the company, she's got her sea legs in a hurry.”
Idioms and Phrases with sea legs
sea legs
The ability to adjust to a new situation or difficult conditions, as in She's only spoken in public a few times; she hasn't found her sea legs yet. This expression was first recorded in 1712 and then referred to, as it still does, the ability to walk steadily on board ship, especially in rough seas. By the late 1800s it was being transferred to other challenging situations.