smooth landing

Meaning

A smooth landing describes a very gentle and comfortable touchdown of an aircraft on the runway. It means there was little to no bumping, shaking, or sudden braking when the plane met the ground. It is often used to praise the pilot's skill.

Examples

• The pilot made an incredibly smooth landing despite the rainy weather.

  The pilot made an incredibly smooth landing despite the rainy weather.

• Everyone applauded after the smooth landing at Heathrow Airport.

  Everyone applauded after the smooth landing at Heathrow Airport.

• I slept through the descent and only woke up after our smooth landing.

  I slept through the descent and only woke up after our smooth landing.

• We had a smooth landing, and we reached the gate ten minutes early.

  We had a smooth landing, and we reached the gate ten minutes early.

• After a turbulent flight, we were all relieved to have such a smooth landing.

  After a turbulent flight, we were all relieved to have such a smooth landing.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The plane made a soft land.

  ✓ The plane made a smooth landing.

  Use 'landing' as the noun and 'smooth' or 'gentle' as the adjective to describe a comfortable arrival.

• ✗ We had a fluid landing.

  ✓ We had a smooth landing.

  While 'fluid' means elegant, native speakers strictly use 'smooth' or 'gentle' to describe a comfortable touchdown.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The wind was strong, but the pilot still managed a ___.

  💡 A gentle and stable touchdown.

  Show answer

  smooth landing

• I barely felt the wheels touch the ground; it was such a ___.

  💡 An easy, non-bumpy arrival.

  Show answer

  smooth landing