set sail

set sail

To embark on a journey on water in a boat (not necessarily one with sails). We're about to set sail, so take care of any unfinished business in the port now or forever hold your peace! We only set sail a month ago, but it feels like we've been at sea for years now.

See also: sail, set

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

set sail

Also, make sail. Begin a voyage on water, as in Dad rented a yacht, and we're about to set sail for the Caribbean, or We'll make sail for the nearest port. These expressions, dating from the early 1500s, originally meant "put the sails in position to catch the wind," and hence cause the vessel to move.

See also: sail, set

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.

set sail

Nautical

To begin a voyage on water.

See also: sail, set

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.