Nautical idioms

The British have long been a seafaring people. As a result, many common expressions in English are related to the sea, ships and sailing.

See how well you know the meanings of the nautical expressions featured in our quiz. For each sentence below, choose the idiom that fits.

1. Sushila has been with us for only a week; it will take her a while to .

plumb the depths

learn the ropes

2. Godfrey is strict but efficient; he likes to .

sail close to the wind

run a tight ship

3. Ted has been since he failed his driving test for the third time.

in the doldrums

three sheets to the wind

4. Marian didn’t know much about website design when she started out; but before long, she .

got her sea legs

was all at sea

5. Since Jason lost his fortune in the recession, .

he’s been on his beam ends

it’s been plain sailing

6. Matt wasn’t at all friendly; he really at the party.

battened down the hatches

gave us a wide berth

7. Faced with a choice between a new car and a prize of $25,000 cash, Marla felt that .

her ship had come in

she was between the devil and the deep blue sea

8. Hari is no pushover; when a debate arises over any issue, he never fails to .

nail his colours to the mast

put his oar in

9. This proposal just doesn’t meet our needs; it will have to go .

down the hatch

by the board

10. Now that the flood damage has been repaired, everything is .

high and dry

shipshape and Bristol fashion