A situation that proceeds easily and without problems or obstacles. It describes a period when things go according to plan with minimal difficulty or resistance.
This nautical metaphor comes from the days of sailing ships when calm seas and favorable winds made for an easy, pleasant journey. Sailors would literally experience smooth sailing when weather conditions were ideal, requiring minimal effort to navigate.
The phrase gained popularity in the early 1900s as maritime trade was still crucial to global commerce, making sailing metaphors immediately relatable to most people. Ironically, experienced sailors knew that completely smooth sailing often preceded sudden storms, making the phrase somewhat optimistically naive from a nautical perspective.
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