sea legs

Meaning

'Sea legs' refers to the physical ability to walk steadily on a tossing ship without feeling seasick. Figuratively, it means adapting to a new, unfamiliar, or unstable situation and regaining your confidence or balance. It is most commonly used in the phrase 'get one's sea legs' or 'find one's sea legs.'

Examples

• It took me a couple of days on the cruise ship to finally get my sea legs.

  It took me a couple of days on the cruise ship to finally get my sea legs.

• The first week at my new corporate job was overwhelming, but I'm starting to find my sea legs.

  The first week at my new corporate job was overwhelming, but I'm starting to find my sea legs.

• She didn't get her sea legs until the storm had completely passed.

  She didn't get her sea legs until the storm had completely passed.

• Once you find your sea legs in the stock market, you'll feel much more comfortable making trades.

  Once you find your sea legs in the stock market, you'll feel much more comfortable making trades.

• Don't worry if you feel dizzy on the ferry; you'll get your sea legs soon enough.

  Don't worry if you feel dizzy on the ferry; you'll get your sea legs soon enough.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to get my sea's legs.

  ✓ I need to get my sea legs.

  'Sea legs' is a fixed plural compound noun; do not make 'sea' possessive.

• ✗ After a week of sailing, I finally found my sea leg.

  ✓ After a week of sailing, I finally found my sea legs.

  The idiom is always plural ('legs'), even if referring to a single person's balance.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It took a few days of sailing before the crew finally got their ___.

  💡 Ability to stay balanced on a ship or adapt to a new situation

  Show answer

  sea legs

• Starting university is tough, but you will find your ___ after the first semester.

  💡 Reaching a state of confidence and stability

  Show answer

  sea legs