it was plain sailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was plain sailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation that is easy or straightforward, without any difficulties. Example: "Once we got past the initial challenges, it was plain sailing for the rest of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

After that, it was plain sailing.

The New York Times

Once my pride was swallowed and once we had got to grips with what we were doing with locks, bridges and so on, it was plain sailing.

Independent

It took another ten years before I pulled the cork from my first bottle of decent Margaux - after that, it was plain sailing.

The Guardian - Books

That commitment could easily have been questioned if the result did not go to plan, though, especially after Puel made seven changes from the side that started at Arsenal last weekend, but really it was plain sailing from the outset.

The Guardian - Sport

She came in a bit sidelong and tentative, tiny in stature, 5ft 2in, like some magnetic sprite, put out her hand, and then it was plain sailing - after her fashion.

The Guardian - Film

Compared to many science trainees, it was plain sailing: "I never went too long without a result".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But from there it's plain sailing for Bartoli, a string of errors from Stephens handing her a comfortable hold.

The Guardian - Sport

but then it's plain sailing to lose them.

TechCrunch

"It's hard enough to get a business up and running when it's plain sailing," he notes.

TechCrunch

After that, it's plain sailing (or skating).

WikiHow

Serena romps to it, 6-3, and it should be plain sailing from here.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was plain sailing" after an initial challenge has been overcome to emphasize the ease that followed.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid using "it was plain sailing" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "it was smooth sailing" or "it was a breeze" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was plain sailing" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for describing a situation or task that became easy and straightforward after an initial challenge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was plain sailing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used idiomatic expression that indicates a situation progressed easily after an initial challenge. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and provides many examples from reputable sources such as The Guardian and BBC. While versatile, synonyms like "it was smooth sailing" or "it was a breeze" can be used to avoid repetition. The phrase carries a neutral tone and is widely accepted in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was smooth sailing

Replaces "plain" with "smooth", emphasizing the lack of obstacles.

it was a breeze

Uses a metaphor to indicate effortless ease.

it was a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression implying something is very easy to accomplish.

it was easy peasy

An informal phrase indicating extreme ease.

it was effortless

Directly states the lack of effort required.

it went off without a hitch

Indicates that there were no problems during the process.

it was straightforward

Highlights the simplicity and directness of the process.

it was uncomplicated

Emphasizes the lack of complexity.

it was a cakewalk

Uses another metaphor to describe an easy task.

it presented no difficulties

A more formal way of saying something was easy.

FAQs

How can I use "it was plain sailing" in a sentence?

You can use "it was plain sailing" to describe a situation that became easy after an initial difficulty. For example: "After the initial setup, "it was plain sailing"."

What are some alternatives to "it was plain sailing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was smooth sailing", "it was a breeze", or "it was a walk in the park".

Is "it's plain sailing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's plain sailing" (with the apostrophe) is grammatically correct and is a common variant of ""it was plain sailing"", especially when referring to a future event.

What does "it was plain sailing" mean?

The phrase "it was plain sailing" means that something was easy and without problems. It's an idiom used to describe a situation that became straightforward.