Example
“Once the permit arrived, the rest of the renovation was plain sailing.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
smooth sailing
Neutral · CEFR B1
easy, uninterrupted progress without problems
break the back of
Neutral · CEFR B2
to get past the main obstacle so that the remaining work becomes easier
weather the storm
Neutral · CEFR B2
survive a difficult period without suffering lasting damage
a piece of cake
Informal · CEFR A2
Something that is very easy to do.
so far so good
Informal · CEFR A2
used to say that things have gone well up to now
alive and kicking
Neutral · CEFR B1
still healthy, active, or functioning despite age or difficulty
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.