Are you 'sailing in the same boat' as someone?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (343885)
Rockingham, Australia
December 18, 2024 9:44pm CST
I’ve often written about some of the more unusual sayings in the English language and how it must be difficult for non-native speakers to understand some of them.
In a comment a few days back, myLotter and friend Trebor Ika (@Treborika) from Mombasa, Kenya, were chatting about how we were not very good at making and keeping resolutions. He said that he and I were ‘sailing in the same boat’.
I’ve never heard this saying before but it’s immediately obvious what it means, and a really nice saying. I wonder if it’s a translation from Trebor’s native language or if it’s just one I haven’t heard of. Perhaps Trebor will read this and be able to enlighten me.
The photo is another one of street art.
26 people like this
22 responses
@DaddyEvil (139088)
• United States
19 Dec
I like your photo. 
I've never heard that saying but it is obvious what it means.
I've never heard that saying but it is obvious what it means.4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (139088)
• United States
20 Dec
@JudyEv I agree... You show some excellent art on myLot.
1 person likes this
@jefferson126 (3362)
• Shenzhen, China
19 Dec
Slang or saying is a difficulty for non-native speakers,just like Chinese Slang.A foreign friend once complained of Chinese Slang to me.I think every country's Slang is barrier for non-native speakers.
3 people like this
@Treborika (17853)
• Mombasa, Kenya
19 Dec
The street just looks so amazing. About the saying it means that we realy share the same experience or we being alike in some ways.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (48076)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
19 Dec
Never heard that expression before, but that's an interesting mural. I wonder what the artist is trying to say.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (48076)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
20 Dec
@JudyEv That's my reading also.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (139073)
• India
19 Dec
I know this saying which means being in the same situaiton
2 people like this
@allknowing (139073)
• India
20 Dec
@JudyEv I like sayaings and I use them often. For me using them is cake walk
2 people like this
@allknowing (139073)
• India
20 Dec
@JudyEv I will pick more before I kick the bucket
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6908)
• United Kingdom
19 Dec
The well known phrase here is “We’re all in the same boat”
It isn’t usually a place you want to be. For example: If someone is grumbling about the state of the economy and having no money, then it is often used as a retort. Much like - “You’re not the only one!”
2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (6908)
• United Kingdom
20 Dec
@JudyEv Yeah, I’m not sure it does mean the same thing, but there are many modern phrases going around. When I was office based, the number of corporate phrases that cropped up were hard to keep up with. Some of the ones that used to make me laugh or shake my head were:
Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it. 
Pick it up and run with it.
Get your ducks in a row
Pick the low-hanging fruit 
Square the circle
Think outside the box
My end is listless.
Pick it up and run with it.
Get your ducks in a row
Pick the low-hanging fruit
Square the circle
Think outside the box
My end is listless. 1 person likes this
@JudyEv (343885)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
@Orson_Kart I like the last one but I think maybe that's an original by you!
I've heard of a few of these.
I've heard of a few of these.
@wolfgirl569 (109922)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Dec
I don't remember hearing it but was easy to understand.
Don't really like that picture but it's done good
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (109922)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Dec
@JudyEv True but I like the happy ones
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (81711)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Dec
And I have heard we are sailing on the same seas,
2 people like this
@freelancermariagrace (28870)
• Philippines
19 Dec
It seems like you both are on the same page. I'm not sure, haha. By the way, that street art photo is really nice.
2 people like this
@freelancermariagrace (28870)
• Philippines
20 Dec
@JudyEv Hahaha. I know right?
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90738)
• Arvada, Colorado
19 Dec
Love the art there Judy.
Why yes I am, yes I am.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83424)
• United States
19 Dec
That is an interesting saying and not one I ever heard of before. Reading about your discussion it does make sense and it would be interesting if he responds and lets you/us know if it's common to Kenya or maybe if anyone else here is familiar with it.
2 people like this
@aureategloom (11067)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
19 Dec
i've heard that phrase in English before. in Bosnia we have similar saying but it includes some unpleasant words
2 people like this
@Beestring (14799)
• Hong Kong
19 Dec
Nice picture.
I've heard of "We're in the same boat".
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (2973)
• India
19 Dec
The photo is great. I loved the street art. I have heard " We are in same boat " . I feel it is more or less the same meaning. It is also possible to have a few sayings originating from local language and then getting translated into English with correct grammar. Unable to remember any such for now from any of Indian languages . I have heard a few from Arab sayings mostly related to camel in English. It is similar to ones we have heard about the horse. For example , do not let the camel's nose into the tent ( I did hear a similar one regarding horse while in Texas). Enjoy the day!
