plain sailing
/'plein'seiliɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Easy, unobstructed progress: A situation or process that proceeds smoothly and without difficulty.
Usage
- Noun:
- Used to describe a task, project, or period of time that is straightforward and free from complications.
- Typically follows a period of difficulty, implying that the challenging part is over.
- Often used with verbs like be, become, or find something.
Examples
- Noun:
- Once we secured the funding, the rest of the project was plain sailing.
- The initial setup was tricky, but it's been plain sailing ever since.
- Don't worry, after you learn the basics, it will be plain sailing.
Advanced Usage
- "to find something plain sailing": To discover that a task is easy.
- I was nervous about the exam, but I actually found it plain sailing.
- "not all plain sailing": Used to indicate that a situation is not completely without problems.
- The merger has been successful, but it hasn't been all plain sailing.
Variants and Related Words
- Smooth sailing (noun): A near-identical synonym for "plain sailing," meaning easy progress.
- With the new software, the data entry is smooth sailing.
- Plain-sail (verb, archaic): To sail in an easy, straightforward manner. (Note: This is a related but distinct and rarely used verb form.)
Synonyms
- A breeze: Something very easy to do.
- Child's play: Something very simple or easy.
- Easy going: Progressing without effort or difficulty.
Related Idioms
- Clear sailing: Another idiom with the same meaning as "plain sailing."
- Once we get past this legal hurdle, it should be clear sailing.
- Like a dream: Used to describe something that happens very easily and successfully.
- The event went like a dream; it was plain sailing from start to finish.
Noun
- easy unobstructed progress
- after we solved that problem the rest was plain sailing