What does sailing have to do with business?

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs related to sailing that can be used in business.

Funny enough, English likes to use Idioms and Phrasal Verbs that would be traditionally used in sailing to describe situations taking place within a team, business or industry.

If you are not sure about the use of phrasal verbs or idioms here is a quick summary:

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb + preposition that have a particular meaning. Sometimes they are completely different to the main meaning of the verb.

For Example: Kick off (meaning: to start)

Idioms are expressions in English that have figurative meanings that can sometimes be very different to the words being used.

For Example: It is raining cats and dogs (Meaning: to rain a lot)

Here are a few expressions related to sailing that are commonly used in the business environment:

On Board

On board would be used traditionally to describe people coming onto a ship or boat. In the same way, we use it to describe a team that is working together or to be in agreement about doing something.

1. Meaning 1: to be part of a team

   1. For this client, we have every member on board.

2. Meaning 2: to be in agreement

   1. Are you on board with the new regulations?

   2. If the clients are on board, we will be able to implement the changes next week.
      

3. Similar words: Onboarding / Onboard

   1. Meaning: The process of welcoming a new employee into a company.

   2. The first month will be used for onboarding.
      

To be in uncharted waters

Unchartered waters used to be areas that had not been recorded on a map yet. In business, we sometimes find ourselves in a new situation or environment that we haven't been in before.

1. Meaning: to be in a new situation (usually dangerous or uncertain)

   1. Christopher Columbus’s boat was in uncharted waters when he found America.

   2. Many companies were in uncharted waters when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

In deep water

Deepwater has a negative meaning to it. If you are in deep water, it could mean that you are in trouble or a difficult situation.

1. Meaning: to be in trouble or a difficult situation.

   1. Due to streaming sites like Netflix and HBO, traditional DVD rental companies are in deep water.

Sink or Swim

As we all know to sink means to go underwater and not be able to breathe. To swim on the other hand is the opposite. Here we use the combination to describe a situation that could either be successful or fail.

1. Meaning: Sink (Fail) or Swim (Succeed)

   1. This project could sink or swim but if it works out it will be great for us! So it is a risk we are willing to take.

   2. It is a sink-or-swim idea. (adjective)

   3. The presented product sunk our company. (it caused the company to fail)

   4. The new product sunk. (The new product failed)

   5. This strategy can sink or swim.
      

To keep your head above water

Now a lot of people might see this the same as swimming (as mentioned above). However, it is more negative. It doesn't mean you are succeeding but rather just surviving or being able to deal with a very difficult situation. This commonly is related to money and finance.

1. Meaning: to just be able to manage something difficult (usually money related)

   1. He has so much debt but somehow he has been able to keep his head above water.

   2. In order to keep our heads above water, we need to reduce our costs.
      

To go under

Now this is related to sinking (as mentioned above). However, it is commonly used to describe a company that has gone bankrupt.

1. Meaning: (for a company) to go bankrupt

   1. The company went under in 2020 when the pandemic hit.

   2. Our company made a loss over the last 5 years, which led to go under.

Sail close to the wind

The meaning of this expression can be difficult to explain for non-sailers. But, when using it in a business context it can mean to take unreasonable risks.

1. Meaning: to take unreasonable risks or being very close to making a very big mistake.

   1. Forex traders sail close to the wind on a daily basis.

   2. I sailed close to the wind and bought the shares in the company.

   3. The football commentator sailed close to the wind by making a comment about Geopolitics.

All hands on deck

This expression would be shouted on a ship when there was an emergency and calls for all people on the boat to the top deck and help. We use this expression in English to describe a situation when we need all members of a team or company to help with something.

1. Meaning: to use all your resources or team members to achieve something difficult or work through a problem.

   1. After COVID-19 passed, we had to rebuild the company and needed all hands on deck.

   2. For the upcoming 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP in QATAR, all members were on board to ensure it went smoothly.

Smooth Sailing

Smooth sailing can be used to describe when a boat is moving in the water without difficulty, interruptions or problems. We have the same situation in our work. When we are without problems or impediments, we can say things are smooth sailing.

1. Meaning: for a process to be without problems. To go smoothly.

   1. After we implement this new rule, we hope it will be smooth sailing again.

To learn the ropes

Last but not least, learning the ropes is one of the first things a sailor needs to do before they can start sailing a boat. The same in any industry, position or company, a new employee should understand the basics before they can start working.

1. Meaning: to learn the basics of something.

   1. Our interns learn the ropes of the company in their first week so that they are prepared for the work environment.

   2. During the onboarding process, every employee needs to learn the ropes.

Here is an activity to practice:

Fill in the Gap

Instructions: Fill in the gap in each sentence with the appropriate expression from the given list above. Make sure to use each expression only once.

1. When starting a new job, it takes time to _______________ and understand the company's policies and procedures.

2. The team had a big project so they needed _______________ in order to get it done on time.

3. The company's financial situation is getting worse, and if they don't find a solution soon, they might _______________.

4. After months of training, the athlete finally felt confident enough to compete. It was time for them to _______________.

5. The project was going smoothly until unexpected challenges arose, putting the team _______________.

6. When entering a new market, companies often find themselves _______________ since they lack experience or knowledge in that area.

7. The company was __________ when they decided to remove all their physical stores and just sell online.

8. With the new safety regulations in place, the construction site required all employees to be _______________ with the new regulations to ensure everyone's well-being.

9. The team had been working tirelessly to meet their goals, and finally, they could enjoy the _______________ phase of the project.

10. As an entrepreneur, it's crucial to _______________ in order to handle the challenges and uncertainties of starting a business.

Answers:

1. Learn the ropes

2. All hands on deck

3. Go under

4. Sink or Swim

5. In deep water

6. In uncharted waters

7. Sailing close to the wind

8. On Board

9. Smooth Sailing

10. Keep your head above water