plain sailing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral, slightly informal
Quick answer
What does “plain sailing” mean?
A situation that is very easy and involves no difficulty or problems.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A situation that is very easy and involves no difficulty or problems.
A straightforward, uncomplicated, and trouble-free process or undertaking where everything proceeds as expected without obstacles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in UK English. The phrase is understood and used in both varieties. In the US, 'smooth sailing' is a more frequent near-synonym.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties; conveys relief and ease.
Frequency
Common in both, but 'plain sailing' has a distinctly British flavour in international contexts. American speakers might default to 'smooth sailing'.
Grammar
How to Use “plain sailing” in a Sentence
SUBJ + be + plain sailingto find + OBJ + plain sailingto make + OBJ + plain sailingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe project phases that are proceeding without hitches.
Academic
Rare; used informally to describe the progress of research or writing.
Everyday
Very common for describing tasks, journeys, or processes that are easy.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts unless metaphorically.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “plain sailing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “plain sailing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plain sailing”
- Using 'plane sailing' (archaic/original form). Using it as an adjective before a noun, e.g., 'a plain sailing project' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The modern, correct form is 'plain sailing'. 'Plane sailing' is the original nautical term, now largely archaic in everyday language.
No. It describes a situation, process, or task, not a person. You cannot say 'He is plain sailing'.
They are near-synonyms and often interchangeable. 'Smooth sailing' is more common in American English, while 'plain sailing' is more British. 'Smooth sailing' can sometimes emphasize a lack of friction, while 'plain sailing' emphasizes a lack of complexity.
It is neutral but leans slightly informal. It is perfectly acceptable in business conversations and writing, but might be replaced by 'straightforward' or 'unproblematic' in very formal documents.
A situation that is very easy and involves no difficulty or problems.
Plain sailing: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpleɪn ˈseɪ.lɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpleɪn ˈseɪ.lɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “smooth sailing”
- “a piece of cake”
- “like falling off a log”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sailor on a perfectly flat (plain) sea, sailing straight to the destination with no storms or rocks. If your task is like that, it's plain sailing.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / A TASK IS A SEA VOYAGE. Difficulties are storms or obstacles; ease is calm, open water.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'plain sailing' mean in this sentence: 'The merger was not all plain sailing; we faced several regulatory hurdles.'?