plain sailing
Smooth going forward
Plain sailing means easy progress without obstacles or complications: Once we solved the funding problem, it was plain sailing from there.
The phrase comes from navigation—sailing in open water with no hazards to avoid.
Some use "plane sailing," a legitimate nautical term for simplified navigation, but plain sailing dominates in the figurative sense.
Without roughness or difficulty
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- uncomplicatedEasy to understand
- trouble-freeWithout difficulties arising
simple · unobstructed · clear · manageable · breezy · painless · undemanding · leisurely
Forward movement or promotion
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- headwayForward progress achieved
- strideExtended single footstep
accomplishment · achievement · success · clear path · green light · forward motion · unimpeded · on track
smooth
Without roughness or difficulty
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- uncomplicatedEasy to understand
trouble-free · simple · unobstructed · clear · manageable · breezy · painless · undemanding · leisurely · serene
advancement
Forward movement or promotion
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- headwayForward progress achieved
stride · accomplishment · achievement · success · clear path · green light · forward motion · unimpeded · on track · coasting
- Easy taskscinch, snap, breeze, cakewalk, no-brainer
- Easy Thingseasy, simple, easy peasy, easy-peasy, easy as pie
- Nautical Idiomsbatten down the hatches, all hands on deck, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat, rock the boat
- sea idiomsall at sea, dead in the water, sink or swim, miss the boat, rock the boat
- Comfort Phrasescomfort food, comfort zone, creature comforts, home sweet home, safe and sound
- nautical phrasesahoy, aye aye, yo ho ho, all hands, heave ho
plain sailingrough going
Arduous progress through obstacles
uphill battle · heavy going · rough seas · tough sledding · hard slog
plain sailingrough seas
Turbulent ocean conditions
heavy weather · tempest · storm · squall · headwinds
plain, plainly, plains, plainness, plaintiff, plainclothes, plainclothesman, smooth sailing, plainclothesmen