adjusting sails

English translation: Altering the position of the sails...

03:02 Feb 15, 2010
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Social Sciences - Ships, Sailing, Maritime / sleep health
English term or phrase: adjusting sails
the term in a book content about sleep
sari rachmah
Local time: 08:59
Selected answer:Altering the position of the sails...
Explanation:
...when necessary due to change of wind or other reasons.

May be in a book about sleep, but it's not a medical term.
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:59
Grading comment
thank you for the answer.it's so simple and clear



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +2Altering the position of the sails...
Jack Doughty
5changing sails or altering the position of the sails
ContextGlobal


  

Answers


4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Altering the position of the sails...


Explanation:
...when necessary due to change of wind or other reasons.

May be in a book about sleep, but it's not a medical term.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:59
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
thank you for the answer.it's so simple and clear

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Peter Skipp: Sails are _trimmed_ ("adjusted" is slack terminology) for the reasons Jack gives. Metaphorically, "to trim one's sails" is to suit oneself to change (thus, "to tighten one's belt" when in financial straits is a "sail trimming" exercise :)
2 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  Luiza Modesto
4 hrs
  -> Thank you.
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5 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
changing sails or altering the position of the sails


Explanation:
You have to take the context into consideration on this one. Adjusting the sails means that the shape of the sail area is changed. It can mean that one sail is take down, or parts of the sails are rolled out or rolled in to increase or decrease the sail area due to wind conditions. Esentially the boat is maintaining its course, but changing the means how to get there.

ContextGlobal
United States
Local time: 21:59
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