English Explanatory Dictionary

sail close to the wind

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To sail in a direction close to that from which the wind is blowing, while still making headway.
  2. To behave in a manner that is on the verge of being dangerous, illegal, or improper.

Pronunciation

/seɪl ˈkləʊs tə‿ðə ˈwɪnd/ /seɪl ˈkloʊs tə‿ðə ˈwɪnd/ En-au-sail close to the wind.ogg

Word forms

sail close to the wind sails close to the wind sailing close to the wind sailed close to the wind

Etymology

Sense 2 (“to behave in a manner on the verge of being dangerous, illegal, or improper”) derives from the fact that to sail an old-fashioned sailing ship close to the direction the wind was blowing from was risky because a small change in the wind direction could fill the sails and push them against the mast, potentially breaking it.

Related words

close to the wind close-hauled tack
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