# know which way the wind is blowing

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/know-which-way-the-wind-is-blowing
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

Understand the situation (usually negative)

## Examples

- He waits to see which way the wind is blowing before choosing.
- The manager is watching the sales numbers closely to know which way the wind is blowing for the company.
- Experienced politicians often wait to see which way the wind is blowing before they publicly support a controversial new law or policy.

## Origin

From sailing and weather-lore — reading the wind to anticipate conditions; proverbial in English since at least Heywood's collection (1546). (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.