“At sea” is an English idiom which denotes a state of confusion for the person being described in this manner. This particular idiom has its origins from the days when sailing was a far more popular form of transportation. If a boat was in a position too far from land, it was considered in a precarious spot and in danger of being lost. The meaning has been passed down from this literal interpretation to now describe someone who is lost in a more figurative manner and is having a hard time finding his or her way to a solution.
It is common for people speaking the English language to try to add some spice to their everyday speech. One way to do this is through the use of idioms, which are phrases that once had a literal meaning but have since evolved to take on a more figurative context. These idioms are often colorful and expressive, especially due to the fact that they are usually exaggerated in manner. “At sea” is a popular idiom still in use.
In the days when seafaring was a common mode of transportation and sailors lit out for all corners of the globe on boats far less stable than what is common in modern times, it wasn’t unusual for storms and heavy winds to steer boats way off course. As a result, any boat that ended up too far from its plotted course and from the safety of land was in serious danger. This is where the idiom “at sea” gets its meaning.
As time has passed, the phrase has stuck around even as the sailing industry has dwindled. The phrase now refers to anyone who has become extremely confused by some problem or situation. For example, someone might say, “I have no idea how to work this new gadget I bought; I’m completely at sea with it.” The implication in the sentence is that the person is lost in a figurative sense when it comes to the gadget.
To add some emphasis, a speaker can add the word “all,” as in, “I’m so confused; I’m all at sea about what’s going on.” Obviously, there is some exaggeration at play in this idiom, since the predicaments that merit the idiom are often trivial in nature compared to the actual tumult of being lost in unfriendly waters. Although this phrase is used by English speakers everywhere, it is most commonly associated with citizens of Great Britain and Australia.