gone along for the ride
Joined without leading
To go along for the ride is to participate passively in something others are driving—present but not contributing to decisions or direction.
The phrase suggests mild enjoyment without real investment: I didn't care where we ate, I just went along for the ride.
It can imply someone swept up in events beyond their control, or content to let others lead.
- coastingMoving without active effort
- going with the flowAccepting situations without resistance
- social loafingReduced exertion in groups
- dead weightInert, burdensome mass
- piggybackingRiding on another's back
groupthink · spectating · peer influence · shadowing · following suit · conformity · accompanying · collective behavior · trailing · bandwagon · drifting · standing by · witnessing · watching · observing · team dynamics · perceiving · noticing
agency and initiative
gone along for the ridetaken charge
Begun leading or controlling
taken the reins · spearheaded · run the show · pioneered · captained