smooth sailing

Meaning

This idiomatic expression describes a situation, project, or process that is progressing easily without any difficulties, obstacles, or sudden problems. It is often used in casual business contexts to describe a successful launch or transition.

Examples

• Once we got past the initial software bugs, it was all smooth sailing.

  Once we got past the initial software bugs, it was all smooth sailing.

• The merger wasn't exactly smooth sailing, but we managed to complete it.

  The merger wasn't exactly smooth sailing, but we managed to complete it.

• If we prepare well for this presentation, the rest of the week should be smooth sailing.

  If we prepare well for this presentation, the rest of the week should be smooth sailing.

• After a rocky start, the transition to the new system has been smooth sailing.

  After a rocky start, the transition to the new system has been smooth sailing.

• We faced some supply chain issues, but now it's smooth sailing.

  We faced some supply chain issues, but now it's smooth sailing.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The project was a smooth traveling.

  ✓ The project was smooth sailing.

  'Smooth sailing' is a fixed maritime metaphor; you cannot substitute 'sailing' with other travel-related gerunds.

• ✗ I hope the launch will be smooth sailed.

  ✓ I hope the launch will be smooth sailing.

  This idiom uses the gerund form 'sailing' as a noun phrase, not the past participle form 'sailed'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Once the contract is signed, the implementation phase should be ___.

  💡 progressing easily without any trouble

  Show answer

  smooth sailing

• The first week of training was tough, but after that, it was ___.

  💡 easy and without obstacles

  Show answer

  smooth sailing