IdiomNature
Slovak
SlovakKam vietor, tam plášť
Meaning: To turn with whoever holds power.
Literally: Where the wind blows, there the cloak
Example: “Ten politik je kam vietor, tam plášť.” — That politician blows hot and cold with whoever is in power.
English equivalent: To blow hot and cold
Origin: "Where the wind, there the cloak": a traveler turns his cloak to the wind, and an opportunist turns with whoever is in power. The same picture is in Swedish vända kappan efter vinden and German den Mantel nach dem Wind hängen.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Être une girouette Literally: To be a weather vane
Swedish: vända kappan efter vinden Literally: To turn one's cloak according to the wind
English: blow hot and cold
More Slovak idioms
- Byť v koncoch To be at your wits' end.
- Mať dlhé prsty To be light-fingered; a thief.
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