plain sailing
noun
: smooth sailing
Creating the lagoon was not all plain sailing. The bulldozer compacted the soil, and several trees died.—
Eleanor Dwight
Eleanor DwightExamples of plain sailing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Taking the step into the professional game is never plain sailing, though.
—Peter Rutzler, The Athletic, 25 July 2024
No change is ever completely plain sailing and there’s been some kinks to iron out.
—Barnaby Lashbrooke, Fortune, 5 June 2023
But the grain deal remains far from plain sailing.
—Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022
This all sounds incredible, but there are rumors that delivering so much innovation hasn’t been entirely plain sailing.
—James Morris, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for plain sailing 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Peter Rutzler, The Athletic, 25 July 2024
No change is ever completely plain sailing and there’s been some kinks to iron out.
—Barnaby Lashbrooke, Fortune, 5 June 2023
But the grain deal remains far from plain sailing.
—Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022
This all sounds incredible, but there are rumors that delivering so much innovation hasn’t been entirely plain sailing.
—James Morris, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for plain sailing
Dictionary Entries Near plain sailing
Cite this Entry
“Plain sailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plain%20sailing. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share