Coast

As in to proceed without effort e.g. to coast through school or college; dates from the early 20th century. Etymologically, it derives from its original 14th century meaning of side or flank from the French côte, which was then used to describe to either a hillside or a piece of land by the side of, or flanking the sea. From the late 18th century, it was used in America to describe sliding down a hillside on a sled and from this usage evolved the notion of coasting downhill on a bicycle, which came into general usage in America from the mid-19th century onwards. From this it easy to see how it evolved its figurative meaning of performing in any endeavour without effort.