follow the herd
Meaning: To do what everyone else does without thinking.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Don't just follow the herd; choose a career you actually like.”
Category: Animals
Origin: Like cattle or sheep that move together. The "herd instinct" was a term of late 19th-century psychology; the phrase is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Les moutons de Panurge — literally: Panurge's sheep
More idioms — Animals
- a leopard can't change its spots — People cannot change their basic nature.
- set the cat among the pigeons — To say or do something that causes trouble or uproar.
- all bark and no bite — Threatening or boastful but not actually dangerous.
- talk the hind legs off a donkey — To talk endlessly.
- jump through hoops — To go through many difficult or pointless steps to get something.
- slow and steady wins the race — Patience and persistence succeed better than haste.
More English idioms
- all grist to the mill — Everything can be turned to use or advantage.
- you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs — Achieving something worthwhile involves some loss or damage.
- in a pickle — In a difficult situation.
- have one's work cut out — To face a difficult task.
- mum's the word — Keep this secret; say nothing.
- hale and hearty — Healthy and strong, especially in old age.
From our false friends
- Simpatichny (Симпатичный) (Simpatichnyy) — Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…
- Aktualny (Актуальный) (Aktualnyy) — Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…
- Artist (Артист) (Artist) — Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (k…