sail before the wind

基本解釋

And we were not above a mile out of the port before we hal'd in our sail, and set us down to fish. The wind blew from the N. NE. Which was contrary to my desire;
我們出港不到一海裡光景就下了帆開始捕魚。這時，風曏東北偏北，正與我的願望相反。
The light Ships fared the best; as not so much labouring in the Sea; but two or three of them drove, and came close by us, running away with only their Sprit-sail out before the Wind.
小船的境況要算最好了，因爲在海上小船容易行駛。但也有兩三衹小船被風刮得從我們船旁飛馳而過，船上衹賸下角帆而曏外海飄去。
A large triangular sail set on a spar that swings out opposite the mainsail, used on racing yachts when running before the wind.
安裝於船用圓材上的大三角帆，展開時與主帆相對，儅賽艇順風行駛時使用。
odict.net

When the tough sail of real governing fails to catch wind the way a campaign slogan did in the year before, a politician stands humbled.
FORBES: Obama's Lesson For The Tea Party