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sail into

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sail into someone

Fig. to attack someone; to chastise someone. (Based on sail into someone or something.) The angry coach sailed into the players. The teacher sailed into Timmy for breaking the window.

See also: sail

sail into someone or something

 

1. to crash into someone or something with a boat or ship. The boat sailed into the dock, causing considerable damage. I was in my skiff when a larger boat sailed into me.

2. to crash into someone or something. The missile sailed into the soldiers, injuring a few. The car sailed into the lamppost.

See also: sail

sail into something

to change to a new condition The economy, for all its strengths, was sailing into trouble.

See also: sail

sail into somewhere

to enter a place quickly and confidently He sailed into the press conference on Friday, grinning at the journalists.

See also: sail

sail into

Attack or criticize vigorously, as in It was part of his technique to sail into the sales force at the start of their end-of-the-year meeting . This term derives from sail in the sense of "move vigorously." [Mid-1800s]

See also: sail

sail into

v.

1. To move across the surface of water into some place. Used especially of a sailing vessel or its crew: The ship sailed into the harbor.

2. To move into some place smoothly or effortlessly: The student sailed into the room five minutes late.

3. To attack or criticize someone vigorously: The supervisor sailed into the workers for the shoddy job they were doing.

See also: sail