see which way the wind blows
Meaning: To determine what stance to take based on what others want, even though such actions or words may not be what one sincerely wants to do or say.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Nature
Origin: The expression is often used in reference to a political or diplomatic situation. It has the negative connotation of being opportunistic.
More idioms — Nature
- shoot the breeze — To chat or to pass time by chatting; to talk idly.
- stick-in-the-mud — Someone who is seen as never wanting to take part in fun activities.
- take someone a rain check — To accept a different time for an appointment from the original one; to request that an a…
- take something by storm — To overwhelm someone or something, often by becoming famous quickly (sentence 1), or by s…
- take the wind out of someone's sails — To deflate someone's ego (sentence 1) or to ruin or destroy someone's high expectations (…
- too many irons in the fire — Too many activities demanding one's time.
More English idioms
- turn over a new leaf — To change one's bad ways and begin to lead a better life.
- under a cloud — Less than entirely trustworthy; suspected of some wrongdoing.
- under the weather — Unwell; ill.
- water under the bridge — Past and finished; over and done with.
- the wave of the future — A strong, growing trend.
- ace in the hole — A hidden but effective means of winning a conflict.
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