swear like a sailor
Use coarse language
To swear like a sailor is to use profanity freely and with gusto.
The phrase references the stereotype of sailors as foul-mouthed—rough men far from polite society who curse without restraint.
My grandmother swore like a sailor when she hit her thumb with the hammer.
- curseInvoked harm through words
- saltinessBriny flavor quality
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- cuss wordsTaboo vulgar expressions
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
four letter words · earthy · expletives · coarse · blue language · salty language · foul · deckhand · blasphemy · boatswain · foul language · seafarer · offensive · vulgarity · obscenity · potty mouth · mariner · old salt
swear like a sailorpolite conversation
Courteous social discourse
Queen's English · prim and proper · silver-tongued · eloquent · diplomatic language
swear like a sailorwatch one's language
Censor oneself when speaking
hold one's tongue · bite one's tongue · keep it clean · tiptoe around
swear, sailor, swears, swearing, swearer, forswear, forsworn, sail, sailed