English idiom

follow suit

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to do the same thing that another person or group has just done

Why this phrase?

From card games, where following suit means playing a card from the same suit as the first card.

Example

“One airline cut its fees, and several competitors soon followed suit.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

kick off

to begin an event, meeting, or project

make up one's mind

to reach a decision, especially for oneself rather than following others

not on your life

used to refuse a suggestion in the strongest possible terms

now or never

A moment when immediate action is necessary because the opportunity will not return.

on the fence

to be undecided or avoid choosing between two options or sides

on the spot

immediately and at the place where something happens

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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