sail close to the wind
The phrase "sail close to the wind" originates from sailing, where it describes a challenging maneuver, and is used idiomatically to describe risky behavior.
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Definition
C1Nautical
(technical)To navigate a boat in a direction close to the one from which the wind is blowing, while still moving forward.
Example
- The captain skillfully sailed close to the wind to reach the harbor on time.
B2General
(idiomatic)To take actions that are risky or barely within the bounds of legality or propriety.
Example
- By manipulating the financial reports, he was sailing close to the wind.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sail close to the wind":
close to the windcut it closecut it finemake sailtrim one's sailsskate one's laneplay fast and looseunder sailtoe the linefly by the seat of one's pantslive on the edgelie on the oarswhistle past the graveyardtiptoe around