Nautical Expressions

(To show/fly a) false flag

To pretend to be something you are not

Cars are identified by their license plates; ships use flags. In the old days, pirates would check out the nationality of their quarry, run up either the same flag or one of a trusted ally, get in nice and close, and then launch their attack.

Example:  Our CEO got caught in false flag operation. He thought she was an investment banker but she was actually working for one of our rivals.

To take the wind out of someone’s sails

To depress someone. To bring someone down.

A sailing ship can only travel when the wind fills its sails. The sight of a sailing ship suddenly coming to a stop, its sails dangling uselessly, inspired this idiom. A captain may use his ship to block the wind, thereby forcing a rival to come to a halt.

Example: Discovering we all have MBAs really took the wind out of Jeff’s sails.

To run a tight ship

To be very organised and efficient.

In the old days, ship captains may or may not have been efficient but they were certainly cruel. One of the many legal punishments was keelhauling, where sailors were tied up, thrown overboard and dragged underwater from one side of the ship to the other so that they will be scarred or even killed by the sharp barnacles on the keel or bottom.

Example: Jack runs a tight ship so we should cut our overheads drastically.

To sail close to the wind

To do something dangerous. Also to do something that is within the rules – but only just!

A sail boat can only move if the wind fills its sails. Therefore, if you sail directly into the wind, the air will slide past your sails rather than fill them, and you will come to a stop. You may even be blown backwards!

Example: Sue-Anne enjoys sailing close to the wind but her mum is worried she'll land herself in trouble one day.

Adapted from: Ellen Whyte Logomania Star2 Tuesday 4 Spetember 2012