do as told
Comply without question
To do as told is to follow instructions or obey commands without resistance or independent action.
The phrase often appears in contexts of compliance or submission: She did as told and kept quiet.
It can carry neutral, approving, or critical connotations depending on context—praising obedience in children, or implying someone lacks agency or judgment.
- obeyFollow commands given
- complyFollow rules or requests
- followGo behind another
- submitPresent for consideration
- fall in lineComply with expectations
follow orders · conform · toe the line · heed · listen · yes sir · orders · commands · dutiful · obedient · compliant · submissive · docile · meek · subordinate · defer · yield · acquiesce
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
- social conformityconformist, peer pressure, herd mentality, groupthink, follow the crowd
passivity vs. initiative
do as toldthink for oneself
Reason without external direction
take initiative · do one's own thing · march to one's own drummer · self-determination · go one's own way