andare a gonfie vele
Il progetto sta andando a gonfie vele grazie al duro lavoro del team.
The project is going smoothly thanks to the team's hard work.
to proceed very well without any problems; to be successful or thriving
Dopo la riforma, l'azienda è andata a gonfie vele per anni.
After the reform, the company thrived for years.
Il matrimonio andò a gonfie vele finché non arrivarono i problemi finanziari.
The marriage went smoothly until financial problems arose.
Commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to describe success or smooth progress.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Context
Use 'andare a gonfie vele' when describing something that is not just successful but also effortless or without significant challenges. It implies a sense of ease and natural flow.
Gold Rule
Avoid Literal Interpretation
This is an idiom. Do not interpret it as a literal description of sails filling with wind. Focus on the figurative meaning of smooth progress.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from the nautical term 'gonfie vele,' meaning 'sails full' (of wind). Historically, a ship with full sails was moving swiftly and successfully. Over time, the expression was metaphorically applied to any situation progressing smoothly.
Usage Notes
Used to describe situations where everything is going well, often with an emphasis on ease or lack of obstacles. Avoid using it in formal reports; prefer 'procedere senza intoppi' or 'avere successo' instead.