At sea

Meaning

Confused or unable to make progress.

Usage

Used when describing perplexity or helplessness.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Nautical term for sailors lost without navigational bearings.

Adopted into daily speech in the 18th century and remains common.