smooth sailing
idiomatic phrase
: easy progress without impediment or difficulty
After the mix-up was rectified, it was smooth sailing again.—
Mike Brown
Mike BrownHe just kept talking and talking his nonstop sunny talk about what a great summer we were going to have and that he had tons of plans and that we would get caught up as father and son and soon all our rough past would be behind us and we would have nothing but smooth sailing for our future.—Jack Ganto
Jack Ganto
Examples of smooth sailing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Navigating fame hasn't all been smooth sailing, but the Barbie actor, 34, tells PEOPLE in its 2023 Sexiest Man Alive issue (on stands now) that falling in love with his marketing director girlfriend, Allison Hsu, 27, has helped bring a feeling of security over the last year.
—Melody Chiu, Peoplemag, 11 Nov. 2023
The expectation by producers was that the fall would be smooth sailing.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2023
And don’t forget to invest in the tech that will make all your adventures smooth sailing, including Apple AirPods for under $100, a 3-in-1 charging station for just $40, and a GoPro waterproof camera that’s 35 percent off.
—Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2023
So use the first few weeks of June to step outside of your comfort zone in order for life to feel like smooth sailing during the last week of the month and onward.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2023
No matter where you’re headed next, this converter is essential for smooth sailing.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2023
Halftime: Michigan cruises to three-touchdown lead It's been smooth sailing so far for Michigan against UNLV in Ann Arbor.
—Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
Jessica Alba’s husband of 15 years, Cash Warren, recently revealed their relationship hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 26 Aug. 2023
While the Kardashian-Jenner women are able to get down and have a good time together in the kitchen, dining out isn’t always such smooth sailing.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023
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Melody Chiu, Peoplemag, 11 Nov. 2023
The expectation by producers was that the fall would be smooth sailing.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2023
And don’t forget to invest in the tech that will make all your adventures smooth sailing, including Apple AirPods for under $100, a 3-in-1 charging station for just $40, and a GoPro waterproof camera that’s 35 percent off.
—Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2023
So use the first few weeks of June to step outside of your comfort zone in order for life to feel like smooth sailing during the last week of the month and onward.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2023
No matter where you’re headed next, this converter is essential for smooth sailing.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2023
Halftime: Michigan cruises to three-touchdown lead It's been smooth sailing so far for Michigan against UNLV in Ann Arbor.
—Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
Jessica Alba’s husband of 15 years, Cash Warren, recently revealed their relationship hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 26 Aug. 2023
While the Kardashian-Jenner women are able to get down and have a good time together in the kitchen, dining out isn’t always such smooth sailing.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smooth sailing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1824, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near smooth sailing
Cite this Entry
“Smooth sailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smooth%20sailing. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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