following the crowd
Doing what others
Following the crowd means doing what most others do, adopting popular opinions or behaviors rather than thinking independently.
The phrase usually carries a negative connotation—suggesting conformity over conviction: She refused to follow the crowd and voted against the proposal.
Sometimes neutral, describing going along with a group's movement or decision.
- packGroup or compress
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- market trendsPatterns in trading activity
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- fitting inGaining social acceptance
keeping up with the Joneses · moral courage · herd mentality · social proof · societal norms · consumer behavior · lemmings · speculative bubbles · free will · authenticity · personal integrity · social contagion · bandwagon effect · jumping on the bandwagon · mob psychology · mob rule · herd · cultural assimilation
- herd behaviorherd mentality, bandwagon effect, conformism, peer pressure, sheep mentality
following the crowdnonconformity
Rejection of prevailing norms
individualism · self-determination · dissent · defiance · rebellion
following the crowdtrailblazing
Being the first through
pioneering · spearheading · blazing a trail · forging ahead · pathfinding
following the crowdoriginality
Novel creative quality
innovation · creativity · breaking new ground · thinking outside the box · unconventionality
follow, following, followed, follower, followers, follows, crowd, crowds, crowded