Definition

1. Noun:
   • Easy, unobstructed progress: A situation where things proceed smoothly and successfully without any difficulties, problems, or obstacles.

Usage

• The phrase "clear sailing" is used to describe a period or situation where progress is easy and uninterrupted. It is often used after a difficult period has passed. It functions as a noun phrase, typically following a linking verb like , , or .
• It is frequently used with the definite article "the" (e.g., ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Once we secured the funding, it was clear sailing for the rest of the project.
  • The negotiations were tough at first, but after the main agreement, it was clear sailing.
  • Don't think that just because you passed the exam, it's clear sailing from now on.

Advanced Usage

• "to be clear sailing": To be a period of easy progress.
  • After the initial setbacks, the development phase was clear sailing.
• "to look like/sound like clear sailing": To appear that progress will be easy.
  • The plan looks like clear sailing on paper, but reality might be different.

Variants and Related Words

• Plain sailing (noun): This is a common variant, especially in British English, with the identical meaning of easy, unobstructed progress.
  • Once we fixed the bug, the rest of the software testing was plain sailing.

Synonyms

• Smooth sailing
• Easy going
• A breeze
• A walk in the park

Related Idioms

• Smooth sailing: An idiom with the same meaning as "clear sailing," used interchangeably.
  • We expect smooth sailing for the remainder of the voyage.

Noun

1. easy unobstructed progress
   • after we solved that problem the rest was plain sailing