plain sailing

USAGE SUMMARY

'plain sailing' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is progressing smoothly and without any difficulties. For example, "We've managed to get all the paperwork done, so the rest of the project should be plain sailing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So much for plain sailing.

The Economist

ReprintsBut it is not plain sailing.

The Economist

Even this may not be plain sailing.

The Economist

But it won't be all plain sailing.

The Economist

After that, it was plain sailing.

The New York Times

It will not be plain sailing.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it wasn't all plain sailing.

The Guardian

LONDON — It hasn't been plain sailing.

The New York Times - Arts

It's been plain sailing".

The Guardian - Sport

Despite this, it hasn't all been plain sailing.

The Guardian

It wasn't all plain sailing.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plain sailing" to describe a process or situation that is expected to proceed without significant obstacles or challenges. It often implies that initial difficulties have been overcome, and the path ahead is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "plain sailing" to describe a situation immediately at its commencement. The phrase typically implies that initial hurdles have been cleared, setting the stage for uncomplicated progress. If the beginning is smooth but challenges are expected down the line, consider an alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain sailing" functions as a noun or adjective phrase, often used predicatively to describe a situation characterized by ease and lack of complications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a straightforward progression. Examples include "After that, it was plain sailing" and "It should be plain sailing from here."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plain sailing" is a common and correct idiomatic phrase used to describe a situation that is expected to be easy and without problems. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its frequent appearance in news and media sources such as The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times demonstrates its widespread acceptance. While similar phrases like "easy ride" or "smooth sailing" exist, "plain sailing" maintains its unique nautical origin and its reassuring connotation of uncomplicated progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy ride

This alternative uses a different metaphor, but maintains the same idea of effortless progress.

smooth sailing

Very similar to the original, but emphasizes the absence of turbulence.

easy peasy

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes the simplicity of the task.

a piece of cake

This alternative emphasizes the ease and simplicity of the task, implying it requires minimal effort.

walk in the park

This alternative suggests an effortless and enjoyable experience.

straightforward

This alternative focuses on the lack of complications and directness of the process.

no-brainer

Implies that the decision or task requires little to no thought or effort.

simple as ABC

This alternative emphasizes the fundamental simplicity of the process.

duck soup

An older idiom indicating something very easy to accomplish.

a cinch

Implies that something is easily and certainly accomplished.

FAQs

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

You can use "plain sailing" to describe a situation that is expected to be easy and without problems. For example, "After securing the initial funding, the rest of the project should be "plain sailing"".

What does "plain sailing" mean?

"Plain sailing" is an idiom that means something is easy and without problems. It often suggests that previous difficulties have been overcome, and the path ahead is clear.

Which is correct, "plain sailing" or "plane sailing"?

The correct phrase is "plain sailing", which refers to easy progress. "Plane sailing" is not a recognized idiom and would likely be misunderstood.

What can I say instead of "plain sailing"?

You can use alternatives like "easy ride", "smooth sailing", or "a piece of cake" depending on the context.