follow-the-leader
Imitation playground activity
Follow-the-leader is a children's game in which players line up behind a leader and must imitate whatever actions the leader performs—jumping, clapping, spinning, or walking in a particular way.
Anyone who fails to copy the leader accurately is typically eliminated.
The term extends to any situation where people mindlessly imitate someone else's behavior or decisions rather than thinking independently: The industry's follow-the-leader approach to pricing meant everyone raised rates at once.
One who mimics another
- mimicOne who copies others
- emulateCopy with aspiration
- apeTailless higher primate
- parrotSpeech-mimicking tropical bird
echo · mirror · replicate · conformity · groupthink · bandwagon · sheep · lemming
Identifier or classifier
- hide-and-seekConcealment pursuit pastime
- hopscotchTossing and jumping game
- charadesWordless guessing game
- sardinesSmall canned herring relatives
statues · leapfrog · playground · recess · children · single-file · queue · procession
One lower in rank
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- complianceAdhering to requirements
deference · protocol · seniority · top-down · delegation · succession · heir-apparent · second-in-command
copycat
One who mimics another
parrot · echo · mirror · replicate · conformity · groupthink · bandwagon · sheep · lemming · mimicry
tag
Identifier or classifier
- hide-and-seekConcealment pursuit pastime
- hopscotchTossing and jumping game
- charadesWordless guessing game
sardines · statues · leapfrog · playground · recess · children · single-file · queue · procession · line-up
subordinate
One lower in rank
compliance · deference · protocol · seniority · top-down · delegation · succession · heir-apparent · second-in-command · lieutenant
follow-the-leadertag
Identifier or classifier
dodgeball · capture the flag · king of the hill · musical chairs · competitive games
follow-the-leadernonconformity
Rejection of prevailing norms
bucking the trend · trailblazing · rebellion · dissent · individualism
follow-the-leaderconsensus-building
Creating widespread agreement
bottom-up approach · democratic process · innovation · pioneering · self-direction
follow, leader, follows, followed, following, follower, followers, lead, leads