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What Does “Sail Close To The Wind” Mean? When To Say It

What Does “Sail Close To The Wind” Mean? When To Say It

Danger has always been something that we’re attracted to, whether it is because of fear, respect, or curiosity. We want to know how danger feels. Sailors know very well of dangers and the sea. Here is where we find the meaning of sailing closer to the wind.

To “Sail close to the wind” is to do something very dangerous. Is doing something very risky that could harm you in some way. It could also mean an action that may be considered improper or illegal—doing or saying something that almost breaks the rules or laws.

Behaving in a socially unacceptable way may also be considered sailing close to the wind. Is saying or doing something that may get you in trouble. Similar to interrupting the flow of a business meeting or a family gathering with an improper manner or attitude.

Is a bargain, a person or a business can either gain a lot or lose it all by sailing closer to the wind. You could maybe say that betting on a card game or a slot machine more than you have to in a given moment is sailing way too close to the wind.

The phrasing varies depending on its use. You could find it written, or spoken, in this form: sails pretty near to the wind, sailing very close to the wind, sail a bit close to the wind.

Where Does This Idiom Come From?

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It comes from the world of sailing ships in the 1800s. This term applies to the real dangers of sailing too close to the wind. Its figurative speech dates to the mid-1800s.

This is a true sailing expression. There are different sailboats, but all of them need wind. How they use it will mark how far and fast they go. Being closest to the wind can make the sailboat move fastest, but it is also a very risky move that could cost the sailors the favor of the wind.

Not in its figurative speech, the original phrase was “sail as nearly against the wind as possible,” and it was meant to be a nautical recommendation. Sailing close to the wind is recommended for a faster journey. Being too close will cause the sail to flap, which will deprive the boat of speed and direction.

It can also capsize the boat, which means to cause the boat or ship to turn upside down on the water.

The risk of doing this led to the phrase’s everyday use outside of the sailor’s slang. In 1840 it was used in a play to express the danger of a character speaking out of line: “her language sails a little too near the wind.”

The phrase has stayed within the nautical world since that time. Even with fewer sailboats, it’s still something to take notice of while navigating a boat.

How Close To The Wind Can You Sail?

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The wind is the most crucial element while sailing boats. Every sailor needs to know how to read the direction and strength of the wind by watching the ripples made in the sea or by a flag in the boat.

It is said that a boat can’t sail directly into the wind, but it can drift towards the wind, as close as 45 degrees to the wind direction.

Wind does not always come from a steady direction. That’s why a sailor always needs to keep in mind its changes to adjust the sail accordingly.

When Can I Say It?

Sail close to the wind is a briefly used phrase outside the nautical world. It is a literal recommendation for sailing that requires expertise to avoid the risk that comes with it.

You can use the phrase when referring to a person that is walking too close to danger. Another example can be a sports team making a crucial player change during a game that can earn them or cost them the win.

Commonly, the person who sails close to the wind and the people witnessing know of the risk in question. If a person does not know that an action is risky or didn´t know afterward, then the phrase does not exist.

The risk of doing something must be known for the idiom to exist.

Examples

  • The manager changing that pitcher so close to the end is sailing too close to the wind, in my opinion.
  • She sailed close to the wind when she missed work three times last week. I hope she does not do it again this time around.
  • You keep putting people in danger while sailing close to the wind. You should stop before you get caught, or someone gets hurt.

Is It Still Used Today?

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Not really. There are words, phrases, and idioms that are more accurate nowadays. This is a phrase from a specific profession, and it’s hard for most people to understand the meaning of it. Although it could be comprehended by the tone in which it is spoken.

Sailing was one of the primary sources of income in the 1800s, so it was easy for a nautical phrase to become a common one with the people. In the 2000s, not so much being that sailing, especially with sailboats, is very niche and has been like that for many, many years.

What Are Those Phrases Or Words Most Used Today?

“Tempt fate” is probably the most used idiom that refers to putting ourselves at risk. You could call a person that likes to “sail close to the wind” an adventurer.

Bold and brave are the two words most frequently used to express the meaning of the phrase. They were considering that doing something dangerous or even illegal could be noted as something a brave person would do.

Examples

  • He likes to tempt fate by jumping from high places into the water. One day it will be one jump too many.
  • Alex went to the mountains to climb walls last month, that is an adventurer side I didn’t know he had. It scares me a lot.
  • The way you spoke to the boss in the meeting last week was way too bold. I hope you don’t end up losing your job because of it.
  • Finally, someone brave enough decides to walk on the ledge to get the picture we need. We should always have more people like that.

What Could Be The Opposite Of The Phrase?

Now that we know what “Sail Close to The Wind” means and what other popular phrases are used with similar meanings. We need to take a look at those that could be considered opposites of the idiom and its meaning.

We have already stated that a person who “Sail close to the wind” is daring and bold. A person that takes risks. This does not necessarily mean the opposite is a person that is a coward. While synonyms may indicate bravery, it does not mean that someone or something that does not sails close to the wind is full of fear.

Therefore a better contradiction to the phrase is “better to be safe than sorry” as an idiom or words like: Cautious, prevention, guarded, alert.

Examples

Why did Victoria review the papers and the location so many times?

She believes it is better to be safe than sorry in this case. That way we don’t miss anything when we get to work.

He is very cautious in the way he works. Nothing is left at risk.

She looked very much guarded the first time we met. I’m hoping to see her more freely in the next couple of dates.

When we do public activities, the company seems more alert and in control than usual.

The prevention rules are there, so we don’t sail too close to the wind.

More English Idioms

Conclusion

Many idioms like these come from real-life issues. While Sail close to the wind may have been used as a figurative speech, it is very literal in its meaning.

Sailors were known to take risks looking for more speed. Then, it needed to be faster than others. It was almost a matter of life and death for a lot of people.

In the 1800s, whale hunting became an extraordinary business because whale oil was the primary fuel at the time.

This was before we discovered oil, or black gold, underneath the earth. It also became the main subject of one of the most influential American fiction novels of all time: “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville.

The novel expresses the obsession and adventurous side of sailing. It is very much described in one of Captain Ahab’s quotes: “As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas and land on barbarous coasts.”

Water and wind are some of the most respected and unknown elements of this world. Being at the open sea is a dangerous place to be if you do not know how to handle yourself.

It’s no surprise that a phrase that is associated with danger came from trying to tame both water and wind.