plain sailing

名词 n.
中文释义
英 /ˌpleɪn ˈseɪlɪŋ/    美 /ˌpleɪn ˈseɪlɪŋ/

英文释义

名词 n.
  1. The navigation of waters free from hazards or unfavourable winds. uncountable
  2. 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”). alt-of,obsolete,uncountable
    — […] I hired a Tonquineſe for about a Dollar to be my guide. This, tho but a ſmall matter, vvas a great deal out of my Pocket, vvho had not above 2 Dollars in all, vvhich I had gotten on board, by teaching ſome of our young Seamen Plain Sailing.
  3. Something that is easy, simple, or straightforward; something that offers no difficulties or trouble. figuratively,uncountable
    — [H]e ſhould give himſelf fair play, by trying his hand vvith the rudiments, vvhich vvould no ſooner be run over, than the reſt vvould become plain ſailing: […]

词形变化

plane sailing alternative

词源

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.
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