sail through (something)
1. To deplete, use up, or go through something very quickly and easily. We're sailing through the milk—I already need to pick up another gallon. I'm laid up in bed sick, so I've been sailing through all 10 seasons of the show.
2. To complete, accomplish, or progress through something quickly and with ease. I don't know why I was so worried; I sailed through the test! I have both an EU and US passport, so I always sail through customs no matter which direction I'm traveling.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
sail (right) through something
1. Lit. to travel through something in a boat or ship. The line of boats sailed right through the Grenadines in the daylight hours. We sailed through the narrows without a pilot.
2. Fig. to go through something very quickly and easily. The kids just sailed right through the ice cream and cake. There was not a bit left. You have sailed through your allowance already.
3. Fig. to get through a procedure, evaluation, or vote quickly and easily. The proposal sailed through the committee with no debate. I hope that this matter sails through quickly.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
sail through
Also, sail right through. Accomplish quickly and easily, make easy progress through, as in He sailed through the written test in no time, or We sailed right through customs. This expression alludes to a boat moving quickly and easily through the water. [Mid-1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sail through
v.1. To pass through something quickly and without pausing or lingering: The car sailed through the red light.
2. To make progress with something quickly and easily: Because I had studied for so long, I was able to sail through the exam.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sail (right) through something
in. to get through something easily. I sailed right through my homework.
sail through something
verbMcGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.