ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go with the flow

idiom
Meaning

To act as others are acting, conforming to common behavior patterns with an attitude of calm acceptance.


Origin

disputed origin

Here, flow is used in the sense of "direction of movement."

Examples
SIMPLE

I usually just go with the flow on weekends.

CONTEXTUAL

When plans change at the last minute, it is easier to just go with the flow.

COMPLEX

Rather than resisting the inevitable changes to the project, she decided to go with the flow and adapt to the new requirements.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all dressed up and nowhere to go

    Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.

  2. 02

    all systems go

    Everything is ready.

  3. 03

    as you go

    While one is doing (something); as one progresses.

  4. 04

    boldly go where no man has gone before

    To break new ground.

  5. 05

    come and go

    To repeatedly appear and disappear; to be transient.

  6. 06

    don't go there

    Do not broach that topic.

  7. 07

    easy come, easy go

    Easily won and easily lost (usually said when resigned to a loss; something that comes in the same way, goes in the same way)

  8. 08

    enough to go around

    There is an adequate amount or supply of something for all of the people present or involved.

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