English Reference
Idiom idiom

go with the flow of traffic


To drive a vehicle at approximately the speed of other vehicles on the road, irrespective of the speed limit.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

It is safer to go with the flow of traffic.

CONTEXTUAL

The highway speed limit is low, but most drivers go with the flow of traffic to avoid accidents.

COMPLEX

Although the posted limit was strictly enforced, the experienced driver chose to go with the flow of traffic to maintain a consistent speed among the other vehicles.


The term employs flow in the sense of the direction of movement. Beyond this specific application of the noun, the source records no further historical narrative or dates of origin.


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.

Last updated August 10, 2026