Plain sailing

　　一帆風順

　　Rob: Hi! Im Rob. And this is Li!

　　Li: Hello.

　　Rob: The weather is so great today were outside on the sea, sailing in this beautiful boat. What do you think Li?

　　Li: Impressive. 我怎么一點兒都不知道 Rob 擁有一條帆船，而且還會駕駛呢。 Rob, I didnt know you had a sailing boat in fact I didnt know you could sail a boat!

　　Rob: Dont worry Li, I know what Im doing.

　　Li: Mind that rock!

　　Rob: Whoa! Its ok Li. Im in control just keep your hand on that rope. Weve got the wind in our sails, the sea is calm we can just easily sail around this island and be home in time for tea.

　　Li: Oh right. Rob 讓我別擔心，說有他掌控著帆船，不會出問題。這叫一帆風順。 I was just saying Rob, its all plain sailing.

　　Rob: What? Plain sailing? Were not sailing any planes Li!

　　Li: No Rob. Plain sailing. Its an expression used to describe an activity that goes well or smoothly and is easy and uncomplicated. 一帆風順。 一切順利 。

　　Rob: Yes of course this sailing is going well and is actually quite easy so youre right this is plain sailing. But can we only use the phrase to describe sailing boats?

　　Li: No although it was originally a sailing term, it can really refer to any activity. Listen to these examples:

　　Driving through the city was difficult but once we were on the motorway it was plain sailing all the way.

　　Once we found some office space and recruited staff, setting up our business was plain sailing.

　　Li: 一帆風順這個詞可以用來形容很多事情，不僅僅是駕駛帆船. I have to admit Rob, your sailing skills are very good and oh watch out for that big wave!

　　Rob: Whoaouch! Ive hit my head on the boom. Oh no, were heading for the rocks againhold that rope Li, quick!

　　Li: Ive changed my mind Rob, this isnt plain sailing anymore! There, were back on course. Thats taken the wind out of your sails Rob.

　　Rob: Err, its still windy Li. Look at the sails.

　　Li: No Rob. Thats another sailing idiom to take the wind out of your sails 意思是殺掉你的風頭，使人泄氣。Lets hear some other people using this expression:

　　I was all ready for a big argument but when he bought me some flowers it took the wind out of my sails.

　　The negative feedback from my boss has really taken the wind out of my sails.

　　Rob: Hmm, Li youve certainly taught me a lot about sailing today there are some good expressions but one thing you havent taught me is how to sail this boat.

　　Li: You said you knew how to sail it.

　　Rob: Well when I said I had been sailing several times I had.but I meant on a ferry.as a passenger.

　　Li: 什么?原來 Rob 只不過是坐了幾次擺渡而已! Watch out!

　　Rob: That was close. Ive a feeling this really isnt going to be plain sailing after all.

　　Li: Too right! 再見。

　　Rob: Bye. Now Li, just pull that rope there.

　　Plain sailing

　　一帆風順

　　Rob: Hi! Im Rob. And this is Li!

　　Li: Hello.

　　Rob: The weather is so great today were outside on the sea, sailing in this beautiful boat. What do you think Li?

　　Li: Impressive. 我怎么一點兒都不知道 Rob 擁有一條帆船，而且還會駕駛呢。 Rob, I didnt know you had a sailing boat in fact I didnt know you could sail a boat!

　　Rob: Dont worry Li, I know what Im doing.

　　Li: Mind that rock!

　　Rob: Whoa! Its ok Li. Im in control just keep your hand on that rope. Weve got the wind in our sails, the sea is calm we can just easily sail around this island and be home in time for tea.

　　Li: Oh right. Rob 讓我別擔心，說有他掌控著帆船，不會出問題。這叫一帆風順。 I was just saying Rob, its all plain sailing.

　　Rob: What? Plain sailing? Were not sailing any planes Li!

　　Li: No Rob. Plain sailing. Its an expression used to describe an activity that goes well or smoothly and is easy and uncomplicated. 一帆風順。 一切順利 。

　　Rob: Yes of course this sailing is going well and is actually quite easy so youre right this is plain sailing. But can we only use the phrase to describe sailing boats?

　　Li: No although it was originally a sailing term, it can really refer to any activity. Listen to these examples:

　　Driving through the city was difficult but once we were on the motorway it was plain sailing all the way.

　　Once we found some office space and recruited staff, setting up our business was plain sailing.

　　Li: 一帆風順這個詞可以用來形容很多事情，不僅僅是駕駛帆船. I have to admit Rob, your sailing skills are very good and oh watch out for that big wave!

　　Rob: Whoaouch! Ive hit my head on the boom. Oh no, were heading for the rocks againhold that rope Li, quick!

　　Li: Ive changed my mind Rob, this isnt plain sailing anymore! There, were back on course. Thats taken the wind out of your sails Rob.

　　Rob: Err, its still windy Li. Look at the sails.

　　Li: No Rob. Thats another sailing idiom to take the wind out of your sails 意思是殺掉你的風頭，使人泄氣。Lets hear some other people using this expression:

　　I was all ready for a big argument but when he bought me some flowers it took the wind out of my sails.

　　The negative feedback from my boss has really taken the wind out of my sails.

　　Rob: Hmm, Li youve certainly taught me a lot about sailing today there are some good expressions but one thing you havent taught me is how to sail this boat.

　　Li: You said you knew how to sail it.

　　Rob: Well when I said I had been sailing several times I had.but I meant on a ferry.as a passenger.

　　Li: 什么?原來 Rob 只不過是坐了幾次擺渡而已! Watch out!

　　Rob: That was close. Ive a feeling this really isnt going to be plain sailing after all.

　　Li: Too right! 再見。

　　Rob: Bye. Now Li, just pull that rope there.