even keel

See also: even-keel

English

Alternative forms

• even-keel

Noun

even keel (plural even keels)

1. (nautical) The situation in which a watercraft is floating or proceeding in a smooth and level manner.
   • 1855, Washington Irving, “The Bermudas”, in Woolfert’s Roost and Other Papers:

     [T]he rude winds died away; and gradually a light breeze sprang up directly aft, filling out every sail, and wafting us smoothly along on an even keel.

2. (idiomatic, of emotions, etc.) The state or characteristic of being under control and balanced.
   • 2007 December 26, Denise Grady, “Coping With Alzheimer’s: Disease Brings Drastic Changes to Patients, and Stress to Family Members”, in New York Times, retrieved 14 December 2013:

     The disease . . . plays havoc with mood, personality, perception and thought, and can require constant adjustments by friends and relatives just to keep life on an even keel.

3. (idiomatic, of a business or other activity) The state or characteristic of being well controlled and running smoothly.
   • 2010 December 14, Steve Schaefer, “Stocks Stable, Best Buy Battered”, in forbes.com, retrieved 14 December 2013:

     Wall Street was on a fairly even keel Tuesday morning but the same could not be said for Best Buy as the company's stock plummeted.

Derived terms

• even-keeled

See also

• right the ship
• rudderless
• steady hand on the tiller