swim with the tide

Idioms and Phrases

Go along with prevailing opinion or thought, as in Irene doesn't have a mind of her own; she just swims with the tide . In the late 1600s this idiom was also put as swim down the stream , a usage not much heard today. The present form was first recorded in 1712. For the antonym, see swim against the current .

Example Sentences

He tries to swim with the tide, but he said wind and choppy water make progress harder.

From Seattle Times

But throughout his career, Michaels has learned to swim with the tide.

From Los Angeles Times

But while some firms are sinking and may not reopen again, others have so far been able to swim with the tide.

From BBC

It was what you did if you had any hope of advancing locally, did not want to be left out of things, or simply preferred to swim with the tide.

From Salon

It was what you did if you had any hope of advancing locally, did not want to be left out of things, or simply preferred to swim with the tide.

From Salon

Related Words

• accommodate
• accustom
• adapt
• alter
• conform
• fine-tune
• fix
• modify
• regulate
• tailor