Sail Close To The Wind Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms - What does Sail Close To The Wind Idiom mean?

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

Sail close to the wind What does Sail close to the wind mean?	If you sail close to the wind, you take risks to do something, going close to the limit of what is allowed or acceptable.
	Some Random Idioms
a long face What does "a long face" mean?	a sad or disappointed look	The man had a long face after he was fired from his job.

as scarce as hen's teeth/scarcer than hen's teeth What does "as scarce as hen's teeth/scarcer than hen's teeth" mean?	very scarce or nonexistent	Cheap hotels in this city are as scarce as hen's teeth.
by check What does "by check" mean?	by using a check	I paid for the hotel room by check.
grace (someone or something) with one's presence What does "grace (someone or something) with one's presence" mean?	to honor someone or something by being present	The Queen graced the opening of the hospital with her presence.
pick off (someone or something) What does "pick off (someone or something)" mean?	to kill with a carefully aimed shot from a gun or other weapon	The police were easily able to pick off the man who was shooting the rifle.
not playing with a full deck What does "not playing with a full deck" mean?	mentally deficient (like a deck of playing cards with some cards missing)	mentally deficient (like a deck of playing cards with some cards missing)The student told unlikely stories about his life which made us believe that he was not playing with a full deck.
rare bird What does "rare bird" mean?	someone who is unusual	The woman is a rare bird and has done many interesting things in her life.

in the flesh What does "in the flesh" mean?	really present, in person	I finally was able to see my favorite movie actor in the flesh.
buck sergeant What does "buck sergeant" mean?	sergeant (E-5, in the U.S. Army)
up-and-coming What does "up-and-coming" mean?	new	The woman is an up-and-coming singer.
a handout What does "a handout" mean?	a gift of money (usually from the government)	The bus company has received many handouts from the government.
have two strikes against (someone) What does "have two strikes against (someone)" mean?	to have a number of things that are working against you and where success becomes more difficult (in baseball you are finished batting after three strikes)	The man already had two strikes against him when he went to apply for the job.

American Idioms and Expressions

Sail Close To The Wind Idiom