sail1 verbsail2 noun
sailsail1 /seɪl/ ●●● S3 verb 
VERB TABLE
sail
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | sail |
| he, she, it | sails | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | sailed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have sailed |
| he, she, it | has sailed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had sailed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will sail |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have sailed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am sailing |
| he, she, it | is sailing | |
| you, we, they | are sailing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was sailing |
| you, we, they | were sailing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been sailing |
| he, she, it | has been sailing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been sailing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be sailing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been sailing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He sailed from Southampton on May 6th.
- I just want to quit my job and sail the South Pacific.
- Jeff ducked as the ball sailed past his head.
- She sailed by without looking at him.
- The Pequod sailed toward the island.
- The ship sailed at dusk.
- There was a picture of Dick sailing his boat in the Caribbean.
- We'll sail from Miami to Nassau.
- We sail first thing in the morning
- Are you capable of sailing in the prevailing conditions?
- Clearly the 49ers are sailing in uncharted waters.
- He could sail this water drunk and blindfolded.
- I sail past a little development of off-the-shelf ranch homes.
- I sail up the hill and along Hyde Hill Lane as if I were a balloon.
- We had crossed over to Mykines early in the day, sailing down the long fiord from the village of Sørvágur.
Longman Language Activatorto pass a test
to reach a high enough standard to succeed in an examination or test: · "I'm taking my driving test today." "Do you think you'll pass?"· New recruits have to pass a physical fitness test.pass with flying coloursBritish /colors American (=pass a test or examination with very high marks): · She was so nervous about her examination results, but in fact she passed with flying colours.
especially British to pass all the examinations that you need in order to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer etc: · After qualifying, she joined the NatWest Bank as a corporate advisor.qualify as: · She wanted to improve her English so she could qualify as a translator.
to pass all your final examinations at university or college, and get a degree. In the US, graduate also means to successfully complete your high school education: · What are you going to do after you graduate?graduate from: · Mitch graduated from Stanford in 1998 with a degree in biochemistry.graduate in history/French/medicine etc British: · She graduated in modern languages and now works as an interpreter.
especially British, informal to only just pass an examination, by getting only a few marks more than are necessary: · Daniel scraped through the entrance exam.· I scraped through my exams with marks just good enough to keep my place in the school of pharmacy.
to pass a difficult test or examination: · The entrance exam is very difficult and only a small minority of candidates get through.get somebody through something: · Reading that book at the last minute was the only thing that got me through the history exam.
informal to pass a test or examination very easily: · "How'd his exams go?" "He breezed through - no trouble at all.sail/breeze through something: · She sailed through her driving test the first time.
· My teacher told me she passed me only because she knew I'd had a really hard year.· I didn't think the candidate deserved to be given a pass but the other examiners disagreed.
different ways of travelling to travel in a car: · "How are you going to get there?" "I'm driving."drive to/from: · Jenny drove to the coast for the weekend.
to travel by plane: · My mother never liked flying.fly to/from etc: · We'll be flying from New York to Munich.
to travel by boat or ship: · We sail first thing in the morningsail to/from: · He sailed from Southampton on May 6th.
travelling in a car, boat, plane, or train: · "Did you come by car?" "No, by train."· Some of the beaches can only be reached by boat.· We didn't have much time, so we decided to go by plane.
if you go somewhere on foot , you walk there: · The two men had attempted to cross the mountains on foot.
if you take a train, bus, or plane, you travel in it: · What's the best way to get downtown? Should I take a bus?· Take the subway to Montgomery Station and walk from there.
if you travel by air , by sea , or by land you travel by plane, in a boat, or on land: · It's much quicker if you go by air, but it's also more expensive.· Troops entered the region by land and sea.
by train, car, bus etc, especially over a long distance, when people would normally go by plane or ship: · It's certainly quicker to fly but we thought it would be more exciting to go overland.
also hitch a ride American to travel by standing by the side of the road asking people in cars to stop and take you to the place you want to go: · He lost all his money in a casino in Vegas and had to hitchhike back to San Francisco.· We hitched a ride with a trucker who took us all the way to the Virginia border.· It's a lot cheaper to hitch but it's also more dangerous.
the activity of travelling independently to a lot of different areas, carrying your clothes etc in a special bag on your back: · Backpacking is especially popular among students and young people.· a backpacking tripgo backpacking: · Last year, he went backpacking in the US.
WORD SETSadrift, adjectiveaft, adjectiveahoy, interjectionaircraft carrier, nounamidships, adverbanchor, nounanchor, verbanchorage, nounark, nounastern, adverbballast, nounbarge, nounbargee, nounbargepole, nounbarnacle, nounbarque, nounbarrage, nounbeach, verbbeam, nounbecalmed, adjectiveberth, nounberth, verbbilge, nounbill of lading, nounbillow, nounblade, nounboat, nounboat hook, nounboathouse, nounboating, nounboatman, nounbob, verbbollard, nounboom, nounbow, nounbridge, nounbrig, nounbulkhead, nounbunk, nounbuoy, nouncabin, nouncabin boy, nouncabin class, nouncabin cruiser, nouncable, nouncanal, nouncanal boat, nouncanoe, nouncanoe, verbcapstan, nouncaptain, nouncatamaran, nouncircumnavigate, verbclipper, nouncoast, verbcoaster, nouncoastguard, nouncockpit, nouncommodore, nouncompanionway, nounconning tower, nouncoracle, nouncordage, nouncox, nouncoxswain, nouncraft, nouncrew, verbcrossing, nouncrow's nest, nouncruise, verbcruise liner, nouncruiser, nouncruise ship, nouncutter, noundeck, noundecompression chamber, nounderrick, noundinghy, noundisembark, verbdisgorge, verbdisplacement, noundock, noundock, verbdocker, noundockside, noundockyard, noundory, noundownstream, adverbdraught, noundraw, verbdrawbridge, noundredge, verbdredger, noundrift, verbdrift, noundrifter, noundriftwood, noundrilling platform, noundrown, verbdry dock, noundugout, noundyke, nounembark, verbensign, nounferry, nounferry, verbferryboat, nounfigurehead, nounfirst mate, nounfirst officer, nounfleet, nounflotilla, nounfo'c'sle, nounforecastle, nounfounder, verbfrigate, nounfrogman, noungalleon, noungalley, noungangplank, noungangway, noungondola, noungondolier, noungrappling iron, nounground, verbgunnel, noungunwale, nounhalyard, nounharbour, nounhatch, nounhawser, nounhelm, nounhelmsman, nounhigh tide, nounhigh water, nounhigh water mark, nounhold, nounhoot, nounhoot, verbhouseboat, nounhovercraft, nounhulk, nounhull, nounhydrofoil, nounhydroplane, nounhydroplane, verbicebreaker, nouninboard, adjectiveinflatable, nouninflow, nounJet Ski, nounjetty, nounjib, nounjunk, nounkayak, nounkeel, nounketch, nounknot, nounkt, land, verblanding stage, nounlane, nounlaunch, verblaunch, nounleeward, adjectivelife belt, nounlifeboat, nounlife buoy, nounlife jacket, nounlifeline, nounlife preserver, nounlife raft, nounlife vest, nounlighter, nounlighthouse, nounlightship, nounliner, nounlist, verblock, nounlock keeper, nounlog book, nounlongshoreman, nounlow tide, nounlow water, nounlow water mark, nounlugger, nounmainmast, nounmainsail, nounmaritime, adjectivemast, nounmaster, nounmasthead, nounmerchantman, nounmerchant navy, nounmerchant seaman, nounminesweeper, nounmizzen, nounmoor, verbmooring, nounmother ship, nounmotorboat, nounnarrow boat, nounnautical, adjectivenavigable, adjectivenavigate, verbnavigation, nounoakum, nounoar, nounoarlock, nounoarsman, nounoarswoman, nounoceangoing, adjectiveoffshore, adjectiveoil slick, nounoil tanker, nounoutboard motor, nounoutrigger, nounoverboard, adverboyster bed, nounpacket boat, nounpaddle, nounpaddle, verbpaddle steamer, nounpassage, nounpelagic, adjectiveperiscope, nounpier, nounpilot, nounpilot, verbpitch, verbPlimsoll line, nounplot, verbply, verbpoop deck, nounport, nounporthole, nounport of call, nounpowerboat, nounprivateer, nounpromenade deck, nounpropeller, nounprow, nounpunt, nounpunt, verbpurser, nounquadrant, nounquarterdeck, nounquay, nounraft, nounrafting, nounreef, verbrefit, verbregatta, nounresurface, verbrig, verbrig, nounrigging, nounroll, verbroll, nounroll-on roll-off, adjectivero-ro, nounrow, verbrowboat, nounrowing, nounrowing boat, nounrowlock, nounrubber dinghy, nounrudder, nounsail, verbsail, nounsailboat, nounsailing, nounsailing boat, nounsailing ship, nounsailor, nounsaloon, nounsampan, nounschooner, nounscull, nounscull, verbscupper, verbscupper, nounscuttle, verbseaborne, adjectivesea captain, nounsea dog, nounseafaring, adjectiveseagoing, adjectivesea lane, nounsea legs, nounsealer, nounseaman, nounseamanship, nounseaworthy, adjectivesheet, nounship, nounshipmate, nounshipping, nounshipping lane, nounship's chandler, nounshipwreck, nounshipwright, nounshipyard, nounside-wheeler, nounskiff, nounskull and crossbones, nounslaver, nounslipway, nounsloop, nounsluice, nounsmack, nounsonar, nounspar, nounspeedboat, nounsplice, verbSS, starboard, nounsteam, verbsteamboat, nounsteamer, nounsteamship, nounsteerage, nounsteersman, nounstern, nounstevedore, nounsteward, nounstewardess, nounstoker, nounsub, nounsubmarine, nounsubmarine, adjectivesubmersible, nounsundeck, nounsupertanker, nounswab, verbswell, nounswing bridge, nountack, nountack, verbtender, nounthird class, nountiller, nountonnage, nountopside, adverbtowpath, nountransport, nountransport ship, nountrawler, nountrim, verbtrimaran, nountroopship, nountub, nountug, nounupstream, adverbvessel, nounvoyage, nounvoyage, verbwake, nounwardroom, nounwarship, nounwaterborne, adjectivewaterlogged, adjectivewaterway, nounweir, nounwhaler, nounwheelhouse, nounwhirlpool, nounwindjammer, nounwindward, adjectivewreck, nounyachting, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
She always wanted to sail around the world. We’re taking two months off to sail the Caribbean.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a keep-fit enthusiast
She always wanted to sail around the world. We’re taking two months off to sail the Caribbean.· The ball flew over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.
· They’re sailing a boat down the coast of Portugal.
British English
a keep-fit enthusiast (=pass it easily)· Don’t worry - I’m sure you’ll sail through all your exams.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· The boat would then sail in a circle, dragging the net, until it returned to the point of departure.· We would learn about boats and sailing, about boat charters and the travel business.· She liked the video vessel very much but she adores her real sailing boat.· A woman had also seen a man in a boat sailing away from the beach.· I like the sounds of a boat sailing at night.
· Direction is controlled by the tiller which moves the rudder, while the centreboard keeps the dinghy sailing forwards rather than sideways.· However, competent windsurfers do have the chance to join dinghy groups when they sail away to other beaches.· Day cruises are in more stable dinghies, sailing in company for safety.· It's also good for families with varying interests, though the dinghies do sail from a beach about 1200 metres away.· That's if you're on a dinghy sailing course.· The cost is £186 for a week long dinghy sailing course and £285 for a yacht cruising course.· For two weeks of Wayfarer sailing you should join our dinghy sailing holiday, p21.
· There is no way Dona could have left her married life and children behind to sail the seas with pirate lover.· But think of me tonight when I sail across the sea.· Cruise ships, already sailing the seas of the Mesoamerican Reef more than ever before, are gaining in size and frequency.
· I stood back and she went past me like a ship sailing into war.· They beg Ahab to turn the ship about and sail homeward.· In particular, on days of ill-omen ships could not set sail.· He did not come back, and finally the ship had to sail without him.· Cruise ships, already sailing the seas of the Mesoamerican Reef more than ever before, are gaining in size and frequency.· The sea belongs to the Christians, and our ships sail there only at enormous risk.· The ship was sailing into the harbour now.
· Not only has it been sailing in calm coastal waters, but it also has one of your sea-marshals on board.· Clearly the 49ers are sailing in uncharted waters.· Meanwhile his passion for sailing was developing by cruising and sailing on the inland waters of the Thames.· The United States insists it has the right to sail through the international waters of the strait.· Two of us have chosen to sail in the calmer waters of librarianship.
· Just 33 years ago to sail solo round the world was a very different kind of deal.· Yachtsmen, too, after sailing around the world with only the wind as a companion.· Learning to sail and seeing the world will be wonderful.· Perhaps he had already formed a notion of sailing alone round the world.
· Newall, 27, was arrested by a Royal Navy frigate sailing his yacht off Casablanca.· The veterinarians must be sailing in yachts, surely.· Windsurfers on the plane Nor is this like sailing a yacht!
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] to travel on or across an area of water in a boat or shipsail across/into/out of etc- They had quite a reputation for sailing close to the wind.
- With his own property, it was perhaps easier too for a baron to take risks or sail close to the wind.
- Get the mitres right and the rest is plain sailing.
- I recognized that all would not be plain sailing.
- In any event, it will not be plain sailing.
- Roderick Conway Morris says it's not going to be plain sailing.
- Last night's defeat has taken some of the wind out of the team's sails.
the first Europeans to sail across the Atlantic Three tall ships sailed past. She always wanted to sail around the world.sail the Pacific/the Atlantic etc We’re taking two months off to sail the Caribbean.2[intransitive] to start a journey by boat or ship: We sail at dawn.sail for They’re sailing for Antigua next week.3[intransitive, transitive] to direct or control the movement of a boat or ship that has a sail: Blake sailed the ship safely through the narrow passage. My father taught me to sail.4[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move quickly and smoothly through the airsail through/over/into etc A ball came sailing over the fence.5[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move forwards gracefully and confidently: She sailed into the room.6sail close to the wind British English to do or say something that is nearly wrong, illegal, or dishonestsail through something phrasal verb to succeed very easily in a test, examination etc: Adam sailed through his final exams.sail1 verbsail2 noun
sailsail2 ●●○ noun WORD ORIGINsail2
Origin:
Old English seglEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- A further use of carbon rod is for sail battens to control flutter, or to improve sail shape.
- For these boats a sail which allows them to compete more evenly under handicap rules has obvious advantages.
- From 1874 upon the sail was emblazoned the rampant white horse of Kent.
- Heroism of a different order was on the menu of three of the greatest Casanovas of the age of sail.
- It was like a captain blowing against his own limp sails.
- Several would-be sailors scoffed at the idea of a race until they actually set sail.
- Then it occurs to us that we could raise the sails to increase our visibility.
- What's the launch schedule of the test solar sail and how long will it stay in orbit?
Longman Language Activatorto leave at the start of a journey
· I have to leave early tomorrow morning to fly to Detroit.· Her plane leaves Hong Kong at 10.00.· When are you leaving to go on holiday?· When we arrived at the bus station, the bus had just left.leave for · I'm leaving for Paris on Tuesday.leave from · Coaches leave from Victoria every hour.
especially spoken to leave: · Let's go!· The trip is all planned - we're going in September.· Do you know what time the next bus goes?· I've packed all my bags, and I'm ready to go.
especially British to leave somewhere and begin a journey: · If we set off early in the morning we should reach the coast before dark.set off for: · We set off for Brighton in good spirits.
British informal to leave and begin a journey: · I think we'd better be off now - it'll take at least an hour to get to the airport.be off to: · When are you off to Canada?
to leave - used especially in official information about times when trains, planes, buses etc leave: · The bus was due to depart at any moment.depart from: · The 12.15 shuttle service to Atlanta will depart from platform 16.depart for: · The 06:33 Pullman will depart from London Euston from platform 4.· The train departs Waterloo at 09:00 hours on Saturday.
if a plane takes off , it leaves the ground at the beginning of a flight: · Children spent hours watching the planes take off and land.· This is your Captain speaking. We are due to take off in five minutes.take off from: · Planes were unable to take off from Gatwick owing to high winds.
to quickly start driving a car away from somewhere: · Eddie ran out of the house, jumped into his car, and drove off.· Someone had smashed into her car, and then just driven off.· Adrian just had time to see his father jump into the truck and drive off in a cloud of dust.
if a train pulls out , it slowly gains speed as it leaves the station at the start of a journey: · We got there just as the train was pulling out.
to leave the port at the start of a journey by sea: · Thousands of people stood waving on the quay as the Titanic set sail.(set) sail for: · In November 1928, she set sail for India and arrived in Calcutta seven weeks later.(set) sail from: · It was a bitterly cold morning when we sailed from Dover.
WORD SETSadrift, adjectiveaft, adjectiveahoy, interjectionaircraft carrier, nounamidships, adverbanchor, nounanchor, verbanchorage, nounark, nounastern, adverbballast, nounbarge, nounbargee, nounbargepole, nounbarnacle, nounbarque, nounbarrage, nounbeach, verbbeam, nounbecalmed, adjectiveberth, nounberth, verbbilge, nounbill of lading, nounbillow, nounblade, nounboat, nounboat hook, nounboathouse, nounboating, nounboatman, nounbob, verbbollard, nounboom, nounbow, nounbridge, nounbrig, nounbulkhead, nounbunk, nounbuoy, nouncabin, nouncabin boy, nouncabin class, nouncabin cruiser, nouncable, nouncanal, nouncanal boat, nouncanoe, nouncanoe, verbcapstan, nouncaptain, nouncatamaran, nouncircumnavigate, verbclipper, nouncoast, verbcoaster, nouncoastguard, nouncockpit, nouncommodore, nouncompanionway, nounconning tower, nouncoracle, nouncordage, nouncox, nouncoxswain, nouncraft, nouncrew, verbcrossing, nouncrow's nest, nouncruise, verbcruise liner, nouncruiser, nouncruise ship, nouncutter, noundeck, noundecompression chamber, nounderrick, noundinghy, noundisembark, verbdisgorge, verbdisplacement, noundock, noundock, verbdocker, noundockside, noundockyard, noundory, noundownstream, adverbdraught, noundraw, verbdrawbridge, noundredge, verbdredger, noundrift, verbdrift, noundrifter, noundriftwood, noundrilling platform, noundrown, verbdry dock, noundugout, noundyke, nounembark, verbensign, nounferry, nounferry, verbferryboat, nounfigurehead, nounfirst mate, nounfirst officer, nounfleet, nounflotilla, nounfo'c'sle, nounforecastle, nounfounder, verbfrigate, nounfrogman, noungalleon, noungalley, noungangplank, noungangway, noungondola, noungondolier, noungrappling iron, nounground, verbgunnel, noungunwale, nounhalyard, nounharbour, nounhatch, nounhawser, nounhelm, nounhelmsman, nounhigh tide, nounhigh water, nounhigh water mark, nounhold, nounhoot, nounhoot, verbhouseboat, nounhovercraft, nounhulk, nounhull, nounhydrofoil, nounhydroplane, nounhydroplane, verbicebreaker, nouninboard, adjectiveinflatable, nouninflow, nounJet Ski, nounjetty, nounjib, nounjunk, nounkayak, nounkeel, nounketch, nounknot, nounkt, land, verblanding stage, nounlane, nounlaunch, verblaunch, nounleeward, adjectivelife belt, nounlifeboat, nounlife buoy, nounlife jacket, nounlifeline, nounlife preserver, nounlife raft, nounlife vest, nounlighter, nounlighthouse, nounlightship, nounliner, nounlist, verblock, nounlock keeper, nounlog book, nounlongshoreman, nounlow tide, nounlow water, nounlow water mark, nounlugger, nounmainmast, nounmainsail, nounmaritime, adjectivemast, nounmaster, nounmasthead, nounmerchantman, nounmerchant navy, nounmerchant seaman, nounminesweeper, nounmizzen, nounmoor, verbmooring, nounmother ship, nounmotorboat, nounnarrow boat, nounnautical, adjectivenavigable, adjectivenavigate, verbnavigation, nounoakum, nounoar, nounoarlock, nounoarsman, nounoarswoman, nounoceangoing, adjectiveoffshore, adjectiveoil slick, nounoil tanker, nounoutboard motor, nounoutrigger, nounoverboard, adverboyster bed, nounpacket boat, nounpaddle, nounpaddle, verbpaddle steamer, nounpassage, nounpelagic, adjectiveperiscope, nounpier, nounpilot, nounpilot, verbpitch, verbPlimsoll line, nounplot, verbply, verbpoop deck, nounport, nounporthole, nounport of call, nounpowerboat, nounprivateer, nounpromenade deck, nounpropeller, nounprow, nounpunt, nounpunt, verbpurser, nounquadrant, nounquarterdeck, nounquay, nounraft, nounrafting, nounreef, verbrefit, verbregatta, nounresurface, verbrig, verbrig, nounrigging, nounroll, verbroll, nounroll-on roll-off, adjectivero-ro, nounrow, verbrowboat, nounrowing, nounrowing boat, nounrowlock, nounrubber dinghy, nounrudder, nounsail, verbsail, nounsailboat, nounsailing, nounsailing boat, nounsailing ship, nounsailor, nounsaloon, nounsampan, nounschooner, nounscull, nounscull, verbscupper, verbscupper, nounscuttle, verbseaborne, adjectivesea captain, nounsea dog, nounseafaring, adjectiveseagoing, adjectivesea lane, nounsea legs, nounsealer, nounseaman, nounseamanship, nounseaworthy, adjectivesheet, nounship, nounshipmate, nounshipping, nounshipping lane, nounship's chandler, nounshipwreck, nounshipwright, nounshipyard, nounside-wheeler, nounskiff, nounskull and crossbones, nounslaver, nounslipway, nounsloop, nounsluice, nounsmack, nounsonar, nounspar, nounspeedboat, nounsplice, verbSS, starboard, nounsteam, verbsteamboat, nounsteamer, nounsteamship, nounsteerage, nounsteersman, nounstern, nounstevedore, nounsteward, nounstewardess, nounstoker, nounsub, nounsubmarine, nounsubmarine, adjectivesubmersible, nounsundeck, nounsupertanker, nounswab, verbswell, nounswing bridge, nountack, nountack, verbtender, nounthird class, nountiller, nountonnage, nountopside, adverbtowpath, nountransport, nountransport ship, nountrawler, nountrim, verbtrimaran, nountroopship, nountub, nountug, nounupstream, adverbvessel, nounvoyage, nounvoyage, verbwake, nounwardroom, nounwarship, nounwaterborne, adjectivewaterlogged, adjectivewaterway, nounweir, nounwhaler, nounwheelhouse, nounwhirlpool, nounwindjammer, nounwindward, adjectivewreck, nounyachting, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a keep-fit enthusiast
(=put the sails up or down)
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The ball flew over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.
· They’re sailing a boat down the coast of Portugal.
British English
a keep-fit enthusiast (=pass it easily)· Don’t worry - I’m sure you’ll sail through all your exams.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Galleons, I believe ... yes, galleons in full sail ... on the hanging bits.· Like a galleon in full sail, she first hove into view during the early 1970s.· But there's quite a few both with engines and a full set of sails.· The great wooden chalet creaked and resonated like a galleon in full sail.
VERB· And King Bucar and they who escaped with him hoisted sails and went their way, and never more turned their heads.· But the captain mocked him for a silly fool and bade the crew hasten to hoist the sail.· Then, before hoisting the sail, I trundled the wheelbarrow on to the road.· We would push out the boat, hoist the sail and visit the lobster pots and conger lines.
· It only needed two men working in unison to raise and lower the junk sails to suit the wind strength.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► under sailPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[countable] a large piece of strong cloth fixed onto a boat, so that the wind will push the boat along: - We set sail at sunrise.
- Backwards Pretend you are a beginner who has inadvertently forgotten which end of the board is forwards and set sail going backwards.
- But even if you only set sail in a comfy chair, this discussion is richly detailed in its own right.
- He hastened back to the ship and bade his crew set sail.
- In particular, on days of ill-omen ships could not set sail.
- It is small wonder that the idea of setting sail for an un-known land grew less and less attractive to him.
- On renouncing alcohol he was pardoned and he set sail for Darlington where he became a leading light in the Society.
- The fisherman cut their lines and set sail for port, but the sea serpent continued to follow them.
- The vessel set sail late Tuesday for an undisclosed destination, the news agency said.
- Get the mitres right and the rest is plain sailing.
- I recognized that all would not be plain sailing.
- In any event, it will not be plain sailing.
- Roderick Conway Morris says it's not going to be plain sailing.
- Last night's defeat has taken some of the wind out of the team's sails.
a yacht with white sailshoist/lower the sails (=put the sails up or down)2set sail to begin a journey by boat or shipsail for/from The following week the ‘Queen Elizabeth’ set sail for Jamaica.3under sail literary moving along on a ship or boat that has sails