smooth sailing



smooth sailing

Easy progress, as in We had a hard time setting up the new computer system but it'll be smooth sailing from here on . The smooth in this idiom alludes to calm waters, free from big waves or roughness, a usage dating from the late 1300s. The transfer to other kinds of easy progress dates from the second half of the 1900s. Also see plain sailing.
See also: sailing, smooth

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Livingston['liviʒstən]
Calogerokah-lo-JE-roItalian
Fotini-Greek
Africanus-Ancient Roman
Anshel-Yiddish
RenÉErə-NE (French)French, Dutch