sailing

sail·ing

S0022400 (sā′lĭng)n.1. The skill required to operate and navigate a vessel; navigation.2. The sport or pastime of operating or riding in a sailboat.3. Departure or time of departure from a port.

sailing

(ˈseɪlɪŋ) n1. (Nautical Terms) the practice, art, or technique of sailing a vessel2. (Nautical Terms) a method of navigating a vessel: rhumb-line sailing. 3. (Nautical Terms) an instance of a vessel's leaving a port: scheduled for a midnight sailing.

sail•ing

(ˈseɪ lɪŋ)

n. 1. the activity of one that sails. 2. any of various methods for determining courses and distances by means of charts or with reference to longitudes and latitudes, great circles, etc.

sailing

aloof - Comes from sailing, in which ships keep clear of coastal rocks by holding the vessel "luff"—"to the windward"; so, to hold "a-luff" means to "keep clear."
jibe - Meaning "be compatible, consistent," it may come from the earlier jibe, "to shift a sail from side to side while sailing in the wind."
plain sailing - Probably comes from plane sailing, a way of determining a ship's position based on its moving on a plane (flat surface).
aback - Originated in sailing, as a ship was taken aback when a strong gust of wind suddenly blew the sails back against the mast, causing the ship to stop momentarily.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	sailing - the work of a sailor seafaring, navigationleg - (nautical) the distance traveled by a sailing vessel on a single tackcabotage - navigation in coastal waterstacking, tack - (nautical) the act of changing tackemployment, work - the occupation for which you are paid; "he is looking for employment"; "a lot of people are out of work"steerage, steering - the act of steering a shipaccommodation ladder - (nautical) a portable ladder hung over the side of a vessel to give access to small boats alongsidebecket - (nautical) a short line with an eye at one end and a knot at the other; used to secure loose items on a shipbilge well - (nautical) a well where seepage drains to be pumped awaybitter end - (nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bittchip - a triangular wooden float attached to the end of a log linedeadeye - (nautical) a round hardwood disk with holes and a grooved perimeter used to tighten a shroudescutcheon - (nautical) a plate on a ship's stern on which the name is inscribedjack ladder, pilot ladder, Jacob's ladder - (nautical) a hanging ladder of ropes or chains supporting wooden or metal rungs or stepslaniard, lanyard - (nautical) a line used for extending or fastening rigging on shipslead line, sounding line - (nautical) plumb line for determining depthluff - (nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mastoverhead - (nautical) the top surface of an enclosed space on a shipratlin, ratline - (nautical) a small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship; they form a ladder for climbing aloftrudder - (nautical) steering mechanism consisting of a hinged vertical plate mounted at the stern of a vesselsea ladder, sea steps - (nautical) ladder to be lowered over a ship's side for coming aboardmainsheet, weather sheet, shroud, tack, sheet - (nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the windspun yarn - (nautical) small stuff consisting of a lightweight rope made of several rope yarns loosely wound togetherstay - (nautical) brace consisting of a heavy rope or wire cable used as a support for a mast or sparsternpost - (nautical) the principal upright timber at the stern of a vesselfireroom, stokehold, stokehole - (nautical) chamber or compartment in which the furnaces of a ship are stoked or firedtowing line, towing rope, towline, towrope - (nautical) a rope used in towingcapsizing - (nautical) the event of a boat accidentally turning over in the waterbeam-ends - (nautical) at the ends of the transverse deck beams of a vessel; "on her beam-ends" means heeled over on the side so that the deck is almost verticalship's bell, bell - (nautical) each of the eight half-hour units of nautical time signaled by strokes of a ship's bell; eight bells signals 4:00, 8:00, or 12:00 o'clock, either a.m. or p.m.steerageway - (nautical) the minimum rate of motion needed for a vessel to be maneuveredstand out - steer away from shore, of shipsstarboard - turn to the right, of helms or ruddersfore - situated at or toward the bow of a vesselrigged - fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)unrigged - stripped of riggingclose to the wind - nearly opposite to the direction from which wind is coming; "sailing close to the wind"
	2.	sailing - riding in a sailboatwater travel, seafaring - travel by waterluff - the act of sailing close to the windbeat - the act of beating to windward; sailing as close as possible to the direction from which the wind is blowingtack - sailing a zigzag coursespill - reduce the pressure of wind on (a sail)
	3.	sailing - the departure of a vessel from a portdeparture, going, going away, leaving - the act of departing
	4.	sailing - the activity of flying a glider gliding, sailplaning, soaring, glideflying, flight - an instance of traveling by air; "flying was still an exciting adventure for him"hang gliding - gliding in a hang gliderparagliding, parasailing - gliding in a parasail

Translations

航行

sail

(seil) noun1. a sheet of strong cloth spread to catch the wind, by which a ship is driven forward. 帆2. a journey in a ship. a sail in his yacht; a week's sail to the island. （乘船）旅行、航行 3. an arm of a windmill. 风车翼板 verb1. (of a ship) to be moved by sails. The yacht sailed away.启航2. to steer or navigate a ship or boat. He sailed (the boat) to the island. 驾驶（船只） 3. to go in a ship or boat (with or without sails). I've never sailed through the Mediterranean.航行4. to begin a voyage. The ship sails today; My aunt sailed today.开船5. to travel on (the sea etc) in a ship. He sailed the North Sea. （坐船）游览 6. to move steadily and easily. Clouds sailed across the sky; He sailed through his exams; She sailed into the room.平稳地行进ˈsailboard noun a windsurfer. 帆板ˈsailing noun the activity or sport of navigating a ship or boat that has sails. Sailing is one of his hobbies.航行sailing- having a sail or sails. sailing-boat. （前缀）有帆的 ˈsailor noun a member of a ship's crew whose job is helping to sail a ship. 水手in full sail with all the sails spread. The ship was in full sail. 满帆航行，全力以赴

sailing

→ 航行zhCN

When is the next sailing to ...? → 去...的下一班轮渡是几点？
When is the last sailing to ...? → 去…的末班渡轮是几点？

sailing

plain sailing

Smooth, uninterrupted, and/or easy progress, movement, or development. Now that we've gotten that problem figured out, the project should be plain sailing from here on! We've got about a 13-hour road trip ahead of us, but it looks like plain sailing for most of it.See also: plain, sailing

sail against the wind

To work to achieve something amid challenging circumstances, such as staunch opposition. This nautical phrase refers to the difficulty of sailing in the opposite direction as the wind. I know that I am sailing against the wind to try get this unpopular law passed, but I am confident that it will ultimately make our town a safer place.See also: sail, wind

sail before the wind

To achieve something easily. This nautical phrase refers to the ease of sailing in the same direction as the wind. I don't understand people who just sail before the wind and get great grades without ever opening a book, when I study really hard and am just an average student. I hardly studied, and I still got A's on all of my exams—I really sailed before the wind this semester!See also: before, sail, wind

clear sailing

Describing a situation that is free of obstacles or challenges, especially after obstacles or challenges have been overcome. We should be there soon—now that we're past the traffic jam, it should be clear sailing from here on out.See also: clear, sailing

be plain sailing

To be smooth, uninterrupted, and/or easy, especially as of progress, travel, or development. Now that we've gotten that problem figured out, the project should be plain sailing from here on! We've got about 13 hours of driving ahead of us, but it looks like most of it is plain sailing.See also: plain, sailing

sail close to the wind

To do something risky or dangerous. If you keep sailing close to the wind, the police are going to arrest you eventually.See also: close, sail, wind

be sailing under false colors

To be operating under the guise of false pretenses, so as to deceive someone or to hide one's true nature or intentions. (An allusion to the identifying flags of a ship.) Tim thought he could just put on fancy clothes and rub elbows with the upper crust that Janet's family socialized with, but everyone at the party knew he was sailing under false colors. Lest you think I'm sailing under false colors, let me say straight away that I'm being paid to give a review of this product today.See also: color, false, sailing

false colors

The guise of false pretenses, so as to deceive someone or to hide one's true nature or intentions. (An allusion to the identifying flags of a ship, and so usually used in the phrase "sail under false colors.") Primarily heard in US. Tim thought he could just put on fancy clothes and rub elbows with the upper crust that Janet's family socialized with, but everyone at the party knew he was sailing under false colors. I don't want to be accused of flying under false colors, so let me say straight away that I'm being paid to give a review of this product today.See also: color, false

sail near the wind

1. Into the direction that the wind is coming from. A nautical phrase. We should be sailing near the wind in conditions like this.2. In a risky or dangerous manner. If you keep sailing so near the wind, the police are going to arrest you eventually.See also: near, sail, wind

smooth sailing

Progress or advancement that is free from hassle and easy to achieve. If we can just get the application approved, it should be smooth sailing from there. Organizing the event was really stressful, but it was pretty smooth sailing on the day.See also: sailing, smooth

sail along

1. To continue traveling at a steady, continuous pace in a boat or plane. It was exhilarating at first, and then it became incredibly serene as we sailed along over the fields in the tiny airplane. We were sailing along, minding out own business, when suddenly a whole pod of whales began breaching right alongside us!2. To follow a particular route or course while traveling in a boat or plane. We sailed along the Gulf Stream at a very fast clip. Instead of sailing along the original course, the pilot diverted the plane over Albany to avoid the inclement weather in Buffalo.See also: sail

sail around

1. To travel in the air or on the water in an aimless or leisurely manner. It's a beautiful day to take the schooner out and just sail around for a few hours. There were a number of birds sailing around overhead, waiting to see if we would drop any of our food.2. To travel in a boat or plain along a route that bypasses or circumnavigates something. We'll have to sail around the massive storms in Buffalo if we want to ensure the safety of everyone on board.. We're finally sailing around Cape Horn tomorrow morning.See also: around, sail

sail for (some place)

To travel by boat or ship to some location. We're flying to Athens, then we sail for the island of Naxos the very next morning. I knew she would be sailing for America soon, so I didn't want to start any sort of romantic engagement with her that had no chance of lasting.See also: sail

sail from (some place) to (some place else)

To travel by boat or ship from some location to another. We'll be sailing from Athens to the island of Naxos a couple of days after we arrive. I can't believe you sailed all the way from Ireland to America.See also: place, sail

sail into

1. To enter or arrive into some place or thing in a boat, ship, or plane. The great cliffs of the island rose to greet us as we sailed into the harbor. Apparently we had sailed into a restricted airspace without even realizing it.2. To enter or arrive into some place or thing an abrupt and nonchalant manner. Janet sailed into the meeting 20 minutes late, acting as though nothing were amiss. I think a lot of people are worried that the new manager will just sail into the office and disrupt the entire way we do things.See also: sail

sail in

1. To enter or arrive in a boat, ship, or plane. The great cliffs of the island rose to greet us as we sailed in on our yacht. The plane sailed in just after midnight.2. To enter or arrive in an abrupt and nonchalant manner. Five minutes after the meeting started, Janet sailed in as if nothing were amiss. I think a lot of people are worried that the new manager will just sail in and disrupt the entire way we do things.See also: sail

sail up the/a/(some) river

To travel in a boat, especially a sailboat, upstream through a river. I managed to sail up the river by constantly adjusting my position in relation to the current and the wind. The navy vessels sailed up the River Thames as part of the Remembrance Day festivities.See also: river, sail, up

*clear sailing

and *smooth sailingFig. a situation where progress is made without any difficulty. (*Typically: be ~; have ~.) Once you've passed that exam, it will be clear sailing to graduation. Working there was not all smooth sailing. The boss had a very bad temper.See also: clear, sailing

sail along (something)

to travel on a course in a boat or plane. The huge white ship sailed along the Amazon River slowly and peacefully. The boat sailed along peacefully.See also: sail

sail around

to travel by water in a boat or ship. We sailed around for about an hour and then went back to the shore. Let's go out and sail around before dinner.See also: around, sail

sail into someone

Fig. to attack someone; to chastise someone. (Based on sail into someone or something.) The angry coach sailed into the players. The teacher sailed into Timmy for breaking the window.See also: sail

sail into someone or something

1. to crash into someone or something with a boat or ship. The boat sailed into the dock, causing considerable damage. I was in my skiff when a larger boat sailed into me. 2. to crash into someone or something. The missile sailed into the soldiers, injuring a few. The car sailed into the lamppost.See also: sail

sail in (to something)

1. Lit. to travel into something or some place in a boat or ship. We sailed into the harbor nearly an hour late. We sailed in at noon. 2. Fig. to move or proceed into something or some place gracefully or without resistance. She sailed into the room wearing a flowing gown. Three young maidens sailed into the room before the door closed.See also: sail

false colors

Pretense, misrepresentation, or hypocrisy; deceptive statements or actions. For example, She's sailing under false colors-she claims to be a Republican, but endorses Democratic legislation . This term alludes to the practice of pirate ships sailing under false colors-that is, running a particular flag specifically to lure another vessel close enough to be captured. [Late 1600s] See also: color, false

plain sailing

Easy going; straightforward, unobstructed progress. For example, The first few months were difficult, but I think it's plain sailing from here on. Alluding to navigating waters free of hazards, such as rocks or other obstructions, this term was transferred to other activities in the early 1800s. See also: plain, sailing

sail close to the wind

Be on the verge of doing something illegal or improper, as in She was sailing pretty close to the wind when she called him a liar. This term alludes to the danger incurred when literally sailing too close to (that is, in the direction of) the wind. Its figurative use dates from the first half of the 1800s. See also: close, sail, wind

sail into

Attack or criticize vigorously, as in It was part of his technique to sail into the sales force at the start of their end-of-the-year meeting . This term derives from sail in the sense of "move vigorously." [Mid-1800s] See also: sail

smooth sailing

Easy progress, as in We had a hard time setting up the new computer system but it'll be smooth sailing from here on . The smooth in this idiom alludes to calm waters, free from big waves or roughness, a usage dating from the late 1300s. The transfer to other kinds of easy progress dates from the second half of the 1900s. Also see plain sailing. See also: sailing, smooth

be sailing under false colours

BRITISHIf someone or something is sailing under false colours, they are deliberately deceiving people. Note: A ship's colours are its national flag. This report sails under false colours. It claims to be a fair and rigorous examination of the issue, but it is no such thing. Note: When pirate ships spotted a treasure ship, they often took down their own flag and raised the flag of a friendly nation, in order to get close enough to the ship to attack it. See also: colour, false, sailing

plain sailing

BRITISH or

smooth sailing

AMERICANCOMMON If an activity or task is plain sailing, it is easy to do or achieve. Once I got used to the diet it was plain sailing and I lost six kilos over a four month period. All of a sudden, my life started to improve, which is not to say that it was all smooth sailing from then on. Note: In American English, you can also use the expressions clear sailing and easy sailing. It's not going to be clear sailing. He's bound to come up with some tough opposition. Once I'd done the paperwork, the rest was easy sailing. Note: `Plain sailing' is sailing in good conditions, without any difficulties. However, the expression may have come from `plane sailing', a method of working out the position of a ship and planning its route using calculations based on the earth being flat rather than round. This is a simple and easy method which is fairly accurate over short distances, especially near the equator. See also: plain, sailing

sail close to the wind

mainly BRITISHIf someone or something sails close to the wind, they take a risk by doing or saying something which almost breaks rules or laws. Max warned her she was sailing dangerously close to the wind and risked prosecution. I have never known a comedy series to sail so close to the wind. Note: If someone sails a boat too close to the wind, they try to sail in the direction from which the wind is blowing, and stop or capsize as a result. See also: close, sail, wind

plain sailing

used to characterize a process or activity that goes well and is easy and uncomplicated.See also: plain, sailing

sail close to (or near) the wind

verge on indecency, dishonesty, or disaster. informal This originated as a nautical expression, meaning ‘sail as nearly against the wind as is possible’. It has been in figurative use since the mid 19th century. 1996 Martin Dove How To Win Any Consumer Competition I like the extra thrill of writing to a tight deadline but sometimes I do sail a bit close to the wind with closing dates. See also: close, sail, wind

be (all) plain ˈsailing

(American English also be clear ˈsailing) be simple and free from trouble: Life with him isn’t all plain sailing, you know. ♢ She answered the first question well and from then on it was all plain sailing.See also: plain, sailing

sail close to the ˈwind

behave in a way that is almost illegal or socially unacceptable: She’s been late for work three times this week, which is sailing close to the wind, I think.See also: close, sail, wind

sail into

v.1. To move across the surface of water into some place. Used especially of a sailing vessel or its crew: The ship sailed into the harbor.2. To move into some place smoothly or effortlessly: The student sailed into the room five minutes late.3. To attack or criticize someone vigorously: The supervisor sailed into the workers for the shoddy job they were doing.See also: sail

clear sailing

mod. easy; easy going. It’ll be clear sailing from now on. See also: clear, sailing

plain sailing

Perfectly straightforward; an easy and unobstructed course. The term comes from navigation, where it means sailing in waters that are free of hazards, particularly rocks or other obstructions. Used since the nineteenth century, it may have come from the earlier navigational term plane sailing, the art of determining a ship’s position without reference to the fact that the earth is round, and therefore sailing on a plane (flat surface), which works, but only for a short distance. Plain sailing was transferred to other pursuits in the early nineteenth century. Shaw used it in his preface to Androcles and the Lion (1916): “Without the proper clues the gospels are . . . incredible. . . . But with the clues they are fairly plain sailing.” A synonymous term is smooth sailing, used figuratively since the first half of the 1800s. Edward Bulwer Lytton had it in Night and Morning (1841), “‘Oh, then it’s all smooth sailing,’ replied the other.” See also hard/tough sledding.See also: plain, sailing

sailing

sail·ing

sailing

sail•ing

sailing

sail

sailing

sailing

plain sailing

sail against the wind

sail before the wind

clear sailing

be plain sailing

sail close to the wind

be sailing under false colors

false colors

sail near the wind

smooth sailing

sail along

sail around

sail for (some place)

sail from (some place) to (some place else)

sail into

sail in

sail up the/a/(some) river

*clear sailing

sail along (something)

sail around

sail into someone

sail into someone or something

sail in (to something)

false colors

plain sailing

sail close to the wind

sail into

smooth sailing

be sailing under false colours

plain sailing

smooth sailing

sail close to the wind

plain sailing

sail close to (or near) the wind

be (all) plain ˈsailing

sail close to the ˈwind

sail into

clear sailing

plain sailing

sailing

sailing,

Racing Classes

History of Sport Sailing

Bibliography

sailing

sailing

sailing

Synonyms for sailing

noun the work of a sailor

Synonyms

Related Words

noun riding in a sailboat

Related Words

noun the departure of a vessel from a port

Related Words

noun the activity of flying a glider

Synonyms

Related Words