sea (redirected from Single European Act)

be at sea (British, American & Australian, British & Australian)

if someone is at sea, they are completely confused. I'm all at sea with this computer manual.

between the devil and the deep blue sea

if you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you must choose between two equally unpleasant situations. For most people a visit to the dentist is the result of a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea - if you go you suffer, and if you don't go you suffer.

See also: between, blue, deep, devil

a sea change (literary)

a complete change. The huge increase in the number of people working freelance represents a sea change in patterns of employment over the last 10 years. (often + in)

See also: change

your sea legs

the ability to keep your balance when walking on a moving ship and not feel ill. It took me a while to get my sea legs, but I feel fine now.

See also: leg

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at sea

confused. With no data they could depend on, they were utterly at sea.

between the devil and the deep blue sea

having only two very unpleasant choices. Our country is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea — our leaders cause great suffering, but an invasion aimed at overthrowing them would bring many other problems.

Etymology: based on the idea of being trapped between a ship's devil (= a piece of wood or a joint on a wooden ship that is difficult to reach) and the water

See also: between, blue, deep, devil

get your sea legs

to get used to a new situation. After graduating from college he went to Chicago to get his sea legs by working in radio.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of getting used to being on a moving ship

See also: leg