at sea

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at sea

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see at,‎ sea.

   Synonym: asea

   • 1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC:

     It is never possible to settle down to the ordinary routine of life at sea until the screw begins to revolve. There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.

2. (idiomatic) In a state of confusion or bewilderment.

   Synonyms: adrift, asea, at a loss

   Most of the class was at sea after the first week.

   Oh, great, the handle just broke—well, we're really all at sea now, aren't we?

   • 2011 September 28, Tom Rostance, “Arsenal 2-1 Olympiakos”, in BBC Sport:

     Wojciech Szczesny was then called into action twice in a minute to parry fierce drives from Djebbour and Torossidis as Arsenal's back four looked all at sea.

• worse things happen at sea

• Aetas, saeta