Sailing, whether on the ocean or a lake, has influenced not just trade, exploration, and warfare, but the way we speak today. Even if you’ve never set foot on a boat, chances are you’re already using sailing phrases without realizing it. It’s actually harder than you might think to avoid sounding like a sailor. Sailing has gifted us expressions like give leewaywhen allowing flexibility, know the ropes for mastering a skill, and stay on course when sticking to a plan.
These, and dozens of other terms like even keeled, by and large, and in the same boat were once vital to life at sea, helping sailors navigate and survive. Today, these phrases are considered dead metaphors. They have shed their sailing roots, and taken on more general meanings about balance, broad understanding, and shared experiences, often without anyone realizing their origins.
At US Sailing, we think it’s pretty cool that American parlance includes so many sailing references. We’re excited to get back to our roots and shed a light on the origins of dozens of these commonly used dead metaphors. Whether you’re using them consciously or not, rediscovering their sailing origins can add a whole new layer of meaning to the way we communicate.
39 Sailing Terms We Use Every Day
Here are nearly 40 examples of how sailing phrases have influenced modern communication:
- “A Loose Cannon”Meaning: An unpredictable person or situation that may cause damage. Origin: Cannons on sailing ships had to be secured. If they came loose in rough seas or battle, they could cause significant damage.
2. “Batten Down the Hatches”Meaning: Prepare for trouble.Origin: Before a storm, sailors would secure (batten down) the hatches (deck openings) to prevent water from entering.
3. “Above Board” Meaning: Honest, open, and not deceptive. Origin: Pirates would hide weapons and crew below deck when approaching another ship under false pretenses. If everything was “above board,” it was visible and honest.
4. “All Hands on Deck” Meaning: A call for everyone to help.Origin: This command was used on ships to summon the entire crew to the deck, typically in emergencies or during important maneuvers.
5. “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” Meaning: To have two choices that are both equally unpleasant or not convenient. Origin: The “devil” seam ran along the hull at the deck level and was the hardest to caulk (to “pay” meant to caulk). A sailor had to hang off the deck to caulk the seam and was said to be “between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
6. “By and Large” Meaning: Generally, overall. Origin: “By” refers to sailing into the wind, and “large” means sailing with the wind. A ship that could do both was versatile.
7. “Cast Off” Meaning: To let go or release; to start a journey or process. Origin: In sailing, “cast off” refers to untying the ropes that keep a boat anchored or moored, allowing it to set sail.
8. “Close Quarters” Meaning: A confined or crowded space. Origin: Originally referred to the cramped living conditions on a ship.
9. “Cut and Run” Meaning: To leave quickly. Origin: Ships in danger would cut the anchor line rather than wasting time retrieving it.
10. “Dead in the Water” Meaning: Without progress or movement. Origin: A ship without wind or propulsion is motionless and without power.
11. “Even Keel” Meaning: Balanced and steady. Origin: A ship with a properly balanced keel remains upright and stable.
12. “Fathom” Meaning: To understand deeply. Origin: A fathom is a nautical measure of six feet used to gauge water depth.
13. “Flying Colors” Meaning: Completing a task successfully or with distinction. Origin: When ships returned from victorious battles, they would sail into port with their flags (colors) flying to display their success.
14. “Give a Wide Berth” Meaning: To avoid someone or something. Origin: Ships anchor with enough space between them to avoid collisions.
15. “Go Overboard” Meaning: To do or say too much because you are overly enthusiastic; to act in an excessive way Origin: To fall off a ship or a boat
16. “Hand Over Fist” Meaning: Rapidly gaining or losing something. Origin: Originally referred to sailors quickly pulling in ropes.
17. “High and Dry” Meaning: Left without options. Origin: A ship stranded on land, out of the water, was considered “high and dry.”
18. “In the Doldrums” Meaning: Stagnant, stuck. Origin: The Doldrums are windless equatorial zones where ships could be trapped.
19. “Keel Over” Meaning: To collapse or faint. Origin: A ship that tips over completely “keels over.”
20. “Know the Ropes” Meaning: To be experienced in a task or field. Origin: Sailors had to learn how to manage ropes to control a ship’s sails, making “knowing the ropes” essential knowledge. 
21. “Long Shot” Meaning: A venture unlikely to succeed; something with little chance of winning.Origin: The first guns on ships tended to be inaccurate. If a shot made impact from a great distance, it was considered out of the ordinary—and thus a “long shot”.
22. “Loose Ends” Meaning: Unfinished tasks or unresolved details. Origin: Refers to untied ropes on a ship, which needed securing to prevent accidents.
23. “Make Waves” Meaning: To cause a disturbance or disruption.Origin: Originally referred to the wake caused by a ship’s movement, which could affect others in the water.
24. “On Board” Meaning: In agreement or involved in something. Origin: Originally meant being physically present on a ship.
25. “Over the Barrel” Meaning: In a helpless or weak position. Origin: A form of sailor punishment involved draping a person over a barrel for flogging.
26. “Pipe Down” Meaning: To be quiet or stop talking. Origin: Comes from the boatswain’s pipe, which signaled when sailors should go below deck and be silent.
27. “Plain Sailing” Meaning: Something easy or straightforward. Origin: A term used to describe smooth sailing conditions with no obstacles.
28. “Set Sail” Meaning: To embark on a journey Origin: To put the sails of a vessel in position to catch the wind, and hence cause it to move.
29. “Shipshape” Meaning: Well-organized and in good order. Origin: Ships had to be kept in meticulous order for efficiency and safety.
30. “Show Your True Colors” Meaning: To reveal one’s true character or intentions. Origin: In naval battles, deceptive ships would initially fly false flags but were required to show their true colors before attacking.
31. “Taken Aback” Meaning: To be surprised or shocked. Origin: Originally referred to when a ship’s sails were suddenly pushed backward by the wind, making the vessel difficult to control.
32. “Three Sheets to the Wind” Meaning: Very drunk or unstable. Origin: “Sheets” refer to the ropes that control sails. If three sheets were loose, the ship would be unsteady, much like a drunken person.
33. “Toe the Line” Meaning: To follow rules and behave properly. Origin: Sailors lined their toes along deck planks for roll call or discipline.
34. “Touch and Go” Meaning: A risky situation with an uncertain outcome. Origin: Describes ships navigating shallow waters where they might touch the seabed but keep moving.
35. “Running a Tight Ship” Meaning: Managing an organization or operation in a strict, efficient, and disciplined manner. Origin: This phrase originates from the maritime practice where a well-managed ship was kept in optimal condition, with tight supervision and strict discipline to ensure efficiency and safety.
36. “In the Same Boat” Meaning: Sharing the same situation or predicament as others. Origin: Dating back to 16th century Britain, this phrase metaphorically equates being in the same boat with sharing the same fate, emphasizing that all aboard share the same risks and circumstances. 
37. “Stem the Tide” Meaning: To stop or resist the progression of something.Origin: In sailng, “stemming the tide” involves navigating against the current, requiring effort to maintain position or progress.
38. “Under the Weather” Meaning: Feeling unwell or sick. Origin: Sailors would say they were “under the weather” when they felt seasick or unwell due to adverse weather conditions, often taking refuge below deck.
39. “Show Someone the Ropes” Meaning: To teach someone how to do a particular task. Origin: In sailing, new sailors had to learn the complex system of ropes used to control the sails. “Showing the ropes” was an essential part of their training.
Why Sailing Terms Have Stood the Test of Time
The fact that so many sailing terms have become everyday expressions shows just how deeply sailing is woven into human history and experience.
So the next time you “go overboard” on a project, or “set sail” on a new venture, take a moment to appreciate the rich maritime history hidden in your words.
But why just speak the language of sailing when you can experience it? US Sailing has the resources to get you started. Click here to learn to sail today!
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