set sail
Begin a voyage
Set sail means to begin a voyage by water, departing from port or shore: We set sail at dawn for the Caribbean.
The phrase evokes the literal act of raising sails to catch wind, though it applies equally to motorized vessels.
Figuratively, it can mark the beginning of any journey or venture: She set sail on a new chapter of her life.
- cast offRelease or discard
- embarkBoard for travel
- launchSet into motion
- departLeave a place
- get underwayStart progressing forward
helm · anchor · start out · shove off · ship out · navigate · voyage · maiden voyage · high seas · course · compass · mast · wind · fair winds · sea voyage · adventure · leave · go to sea
- 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
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed
- beginningsbegin, beginning, start, first, opening