to-go-with-the-flow
/tə ɡəʊ wɪð ðə fləʊ/ IELTSAcademic
phrase
to accept things as they happen and not try to control everything. It means staying calm, flexible, and easy to work with.
- I try to go with the flow during team projects.
- She went with the flow and enjoyed the trip.
- Just go with the flow and see what happens.
Adinary Nuance
Go with the flow is close to adaptable, easygoing, and flexible, but it is more casual and more about attitude than skill. It suggests relaxed acceptance, not careful planning. In speech, it can sound friendly; in business writing, it may sound too informal. Use it when you mean someone does not resist changes.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thuận theo
- Spanish
- dejarse llevar
- Chinese
- 顺其自然
- Japanese
- 流れに任せる
- Korean
- 흐름에 맡기다
Etymology
This phrase uses the everyday verb phrase “go with the flow,” which became common in the late 20th century. The image is of moving with a river’s current instead of fighting it.
Common phrases
go with the flowjust go with the flowlearn to go with the flow
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is go with the flow formal or informal?
- It is informal. People use it more in speech than in formal writing.
- Does go with the flow mean lazy?
- No. It usually means calm and flexible, not lazy. But it can suggest a lack of planning.
- What is the difference between go with the flow and flexible?
- Flexible describes a person who can change easily. Go with the flow describes the attitude of accepting what happens.
- Can I use go with the flow in IELTS speaking?
- Yes, especially in informal speaking answers. It may sound natural when describing personality.