under sail

under sail — 慣用語

1. moving across the water on a vessel whose sails have been raised to catch the wi

1.慣用語B2
釋義

揚帆航行

利用風力使船隻在水上前進

moving across the water on a vessel whose sails have been raised to catch the wind; travelling without engine power, using only the wind to move forward

例句

The fishing boat left the harbour under sail, heading for the open ocean.

那艘漁船揚帆駛離港口，朝外海前進。

collocation: leave harbour under sail

Padma spotted the ship under sail just before the thick fog rolled in.

Padma 在濃霧襲來之前，看見那艘船正揚帆航行。

spot + [vessel] + under sail (perception verb)

同義詞
  • sailing

    more general term; 'under sail' emphasizes that sails are currently raised and in use

  • under canvas

    historical synonym; less common in modern usage

  • under way

    broader term meaning 'in motion'; does not specify the method of propulsion

反義詞

文法句型

verb of motion + under sail

keep + [vessel] + under sail

用法筆記

Commonly appears after verbs of motion (go, travel, leave, sail) or verbs of perception (see, spot, watch). It describes the method of travel, not a physical position — do not confuse with the literal meaning of being physically underneath a sail.

常見錯誤

❌The boat is under sail when the engine is running.
✅The boat is under sail when it moves by wind power, not an engine.
💡'under sail' specifically means using wind power from raised sails.
❌We went under sail to the market.
✅The cargo ship went under sail from Lisbon to Recife.
💡'under sail' is used for sea voyages, not trips on land or short distances.