Weekly Idioms 2008-10-3

clear sailing = progress without difficulty, easy situation

e.g

• Once we reviewed our tenses the test was clear sailing.
• You'll find that it's clear sailing when you work with Bob.
• He promised me it would be clear sailing once I had the director's approval. Unfortunately, that's not been the case.

to get off someone's back = stop bothering someone

e.g

• I wish you'd get off my back about those reports!
• Would you please get off Gretchen's back. She's got enough trouble as it is.