plain sailing

Meaning

1. (uncountable) The navigation of waters free from hazards or unfavourable winds.
2. (alt-of, obsolete, uncountable) Obsolete spelling of plane sailing (“a technique for navigation using the assumption that the journey occurs over a plane or flat surface rather than the actual curved surface of the Earth, which is sufficiently accurate over short distances”).
3. (figuratively, uncountable) Something that is easy, simple, or straightforward; something that offers no difficulties or trouble.

Synonyms

clear sailing

easy going

child’s play

forthright

toy

unstuffy

Translations

sincer

geradeaus

⬆️

παιχνιδάκι

franche

sans détours

sinple

schietto

ساکار

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌpleɪn ˈseɪlɪŋ/

Etymology

From plain (adjective) + sailing.
Sense 2 (“something that is easy, simple, or straightforward”) is attested slightly later than plain-sailing (adjective), and so could have been derived from it.