smoother sailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smoother sailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is easier or more trouble-free than expected, often in the context of progress or journey. Example: "After addressing the initial challenges, we finally found smoother sailing in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Orpheus has had smoother sailing at the Williams Center for the Arts at Lafayette College in Easton.

The New York Times

But as Ann Landers might have warned anyone excited over the prospect of smoother sailing through security: Keep your shirt on, Buster.

The New York Times

Ram: Smoother Sailing When Dodge began working on the new Ram, officials decided they didn't care about winning the maximum-towing war.

The New York Times

On the economic front, however, Macri seems set for smoother sailing with a sharp team of young economists at the helm.

The Guardian

Hopefully, now that everything's installed and we have access to the staging site, the github repo, and the virtual machine, things will be smoother sailing from here on out.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Christopher Clark, the technology program manager at Kentucky's state-run insurance exchange, said that its first-day problems were caused by simply not having enough "computing horsepower," and that capacity was added, making for smoother sailing on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I've been doing that with this new man I'm dating, and it has been smoother-sailing than I've experienced at the beginning for a long time.

Huffington Post

"Barnacle cleaning" is a sound bite intended to convey the impression of a satisfying exercise that leaves the ship of state clean and unencumbered to sail into smoother political waters.

The Guardian

Smoother, yes.

The New York Times - Food

"Smoother than ice cream".

The New York Times - Food

A smoother partnership?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smoother sailing" to suggest progress is easier than anticipated, often after initial difficulties have been overcome. It is particularly effective when referring to projects, deals, or transitions.

Common error

Avoid using "smoother sailing" in contexts where nautical metaphors are already heavily present. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché or unintentionally humorous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smoother sailing" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a period or situation characterized by ease and lack of obstacles, particularly after a period of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smoother sailing" is a common and correct English idiom used to describe a situation progressing more easily, especially after initial difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase metaphorically suggests a journey or process now free from significant obstacles. While versatile, it’s best to avoid overusing nautical metaphors to prevent cliché. Alternatives such as "easier progress" or "trouble-free process" may be more appropriate in certain formal contexts. In essence, "smoother sailing" offers a concise and evocative way to express improved circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plain sailing

A more informal idiom with very similar meaning, but may not be appropriate for all contexts.

untroubled waters

Keeps the water imagery but focuses on the absence of problems.

easier ride

Similar to sailing, but uses the more general term "ride".

easier progress

Focuses on the ease of advancement, omitting the nautical metaphor.

less bumpy road

Employs a road metaphor to suggest fewer obstacles.

less challenging path

Highlights the reduced difficulty, changing the imagery from sailing to a path.

more straightforward journey

Emphasizes the directness of the process, replacing the sailing metaphor.

trouble-free process

Indicates a lack of problems, altering the image from a journey to a process.

successful advancement

Focuses on the positive outcome of progressing without difficulties.

more fluid operation

Highlights the seamless flow of operations, changing the metaphor.

FAQs

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

You can use "smoother sailing" to describe a situation where progress is easier than expected, such as "After the initial setbacks, the project experienced "smoother sailing"".

What's a less nautical alternative to "smoother sailing"?

For a less nautical alternative, consider using phrases like "easier progress" or "more straightforward journey".

Is "smoother sailing" appropriate for formal writing?

While "smoother sailing" is generally acceptable, consider the audience. In highly formal contexts, "trouble-free process" might be a more suitable alternative.

What does "smoother sailing" imply about the situation?

"Smoother sailing" suggests that previous difficulties have been resolved, and the current state is more manageable and less problematic than before.