Describing someone or something that is progressing in a stable manner. This nautical phrase was originally used in reference to a ship that was sailing steadily. (Ships were traditionally assigned the female gender.) A: "How's your new business coming along?" B: "Steady as she goes! We expect to break even the first year and then start making a profit."In the midst of all this social upheaval, I hope our government can stay steady-as-she-goes.