go with the flow
Don't resist change
To go with the flow is to accept circumstances as they come rather than resist or fight them.
The image is of floating downstream rather than swimming against the current.
Someone who goes with the flow adapts to situations without complaint: I didn't love the plan, but I decided to just go with the flow.
The phrase can suggest easygoing flexibility or passive acceptance, depending on context.
- make doManage with insufficient resources
- roll with itAccept circumstances calmly
- ride the waveExploit favorable conditions
- path of least resistanceCourse requiring least effort
- submitPresent for consideration
comply · yield · come what may · adjustment · nonchalant · laid back · Taoism · like water · concede · accommodate · water off a duck's back · adaptability · mellow · easygoing · no worries · surrender · blow with the wind · flexibility
- calming phrasesstay calm, calm down, relax, keep your cool, take it easy
- life wisdomcarpe diem, seize the day, live and learn, this too shall pass, know thyself
- adaptabilityadapt, flexibility, resilience, adaptability, pliability
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
- social conformityconformist, peer pressure, herd mentality, groupthink, fit in
- chill personalityrelaxed, easygoing, laid-back, calm, mellow
go with the flowresist
Oppose or refuse compliance
fight back · push back · protest · rebel · stand your ground
go with the flowtake charge
Begin leading a situation
take control · take the reins · seize control · take initiative · call the shots
go with the flowgo against the grain
Oppose prevailing tendencies
march to the beat of a different drummer · buck the trend · stand out · think outside the box · break the mold
flow, follow, flowing, follower, flown, overflow, flows, flowed, follows