Let's explore a popular English idiom.
"Go with the flow" is a common idiom or phrase in English that means to relax and accept a situation rather than trying to control what happens. This idiom alludes to the natural ebb and flow or ups and downs of life. Let's explore the definition, history, and usage of this popular saying.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines "go with the flow" as:
"To relax and accept a situation rather than trying to control what happens."
If someone tells you to "go with the flow," they are advising you to let things happen naturally rather than trying to force a particular outcome. You just have to agree with the situation. This phrase suggests you should embrace life's unpredictability and be adaptable to circumstances as they arise.
You just have to agree with the situation
While the exact origin of "go with the flow" is unclear, it became popular in American culture in the 1960s and 70s. Some language experts speculate it derives from the earlier saying "go with the tide" which dates back to at least 1625.
The phrase likely gained traction because it evokes the natural ebb and flow or rise and fall of tides. Just as we cannot control the ocean's tides, we cannot control all of life's ups and downs.
People often use "go with the flow" when offering advice:
"I know you're worried about the presentation, but try to go with the flow. It will be fine."
It can also be used to describe someone's personality:
"Mark is very go with the flow. He never stresses about anything."
Or it can simply be a suggestion:
"Let's just go with the flow tonight instead of overplanning."
Is going with the flow a good philosophy for life? Here are some potential benefits as well as downsides to consider:
So while going with the flow has benefits, it should be balanced with purposeful direction and action.
If you want to adopt a go with the flow mentality, here are some tips:
Going with the flow involves maintaining flexibility, openness, and trust in the natural course of life. It allows you to conserve energy, engage fully in the present, and meet challenges as they come. While beneficial, it requires avoiding complacency and passivity. With balance, we can enjoy the ride wherever the current takes us.
Accepting uncertainty can prevent worry and frustration
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Let's explore some additional examples and context around this popular idiom:
This saying gave rise to other idiomatic phrases including:
All these expressions communicate a similar idea - accept and move with the natural momentum of a situation.
Some common synonyms for "go with the flow" include:
Contrasting expressions with an opposite meaning are:
These imply asserting your individuality or challenging conventions rather than following others' leads.
Many thinkers have weighed in on the virtues of going with the flow:
"By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning." - Lao Tzu
"When nothing is certain, anything is possible." - Margaret Drabble
"Not being tense but ready. Not thinking but not dreaming. Not being set but flexible. Liberation from the uneasy sense of confinement. It is being wholly and quietly alive, aware and alert, ready for whatever may come." - Bruce Lee
So while going with the flow has potential downsides, it can also free us from anxiety and open us to new possibilities. With attention and intuition, we can learn to gently steer while still appreciating the scenic ride.