trim one's sails

phrase

: to adjust oneself or one's actions to prevailing conditions
Mrs. Darrow's social influence in the parish was useful to her, so she trimmed her sails accordingly.Fergus Hume

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Cite this Entry

“Trim one's sails.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trim%20one%27s%20sails. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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