Sail close to the wind

Meaning

Operate near the limits of what is safe or acceptable.

Usage

Used to describe risky tactics that just avoid disaster.

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.

Sailboats sailed near the wind to keep speed but risked capsizing.

19th-century sailors popularized the expression.