going with the flow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'going with the flow' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is taking a relaxed approach to a situation and going along with what is happening. For example, "Instead of fighting against the current, he decided to go with the flow and accept that his plans had changed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I'm just going with the flow".

The New York Times - Sports

We are "going with the flow".

The New Yorker

He's just going with the flow.

The New York Times

It was all about going with the flow.

The Guardian - Music

They were going with the flow of things.

The New York Times

Coach Bobby Bowden of Florida State is just going with the flow until the final standing.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He goes with the flow.

The New York Times - Arts

I go with the flow.

The New York Times

We go with the flow".

The New York Times - Arts

"But he just goes with the flow".

The New York Times

I just went with the flow really.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going with the flow" when you want to convey a sense of flexibility and adaptability in the face of changing circumstances. It is best suited for informal contexts and when emphasizing a relaxed approach.

Common error

Avoid using "going with the flow" when decisive action is required. This phrase suggests acceptance and adaptation, not leadership or proactive problem-solving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going with the flow" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe accepting and adapting to situations without resistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

12%

HuffPost

10%

Less common in

Vice

6%

Forbes

4%

eLife

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going with the flow" is a commonly used and grammatically correct idiomatic expression that means adapting to circumstances without resistance. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is prevalent across various sources, particularly in News & Media. It’s best used in informal contexts to convey flexibility and a relaxed approach. Remember to avoid using "going with the flow" when a situation requires decisive action or leadership, and consider more formal alternatives like "being adaptable" or "adjusting to circumstances" in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a relaxed approach

Focuses on the calmness and lack of stress in dealing with a situation.

adjusting to circumstances

Directly indicates the action of modifying one's behavior to fit a situation.

taking things as they come

Highlights a passive approach to dealing with events.

rolling with the punches

Suggests resilience and the ability to recover from setbacks.

being adaptable

Focuses on the characteristic of adjusting to different conditions.

being flexible

Highlights the quality of being easily modified or adapted.

accepting what is

Emphasizes acceptance and acknowledgment of the present situation.

letting things happen

Implies a lack of intervention and allowing events to unfold naturally.

yielding to the inevitable

Highlights the sense of accepting what cannot be changed.

surrendering to fate

Indicates acceptance of predetermined events.

FAQs

How can I use "going with the flow" in a sentence?

You can use "going with the flow" to describe someone who is adaptable and doesn't resist changes. For example: "Instead of stressing about the unexpected detour, we decided to just "go with the flow" and see where it takes us".

What's a more formal alternative to "going with the flow"?

In a formal context, you could use phrases like "being adaptable", "adjusting to circumstances", or "demonstrating flexibility".

Is "going with the flow" appropriate for business communication?

"Going with the flow" is generally too informal for business communication. It's better to opt for more professional language that conveys adaptability and responsiveness to change without sounding casual. For example, you could say, "We are being adaptable to the evolving market conditions".

What's the difference between "going with the flow" and "giving up"?

"Going with the flow" implies a conscious decision to adapt to circumstances and remain flexible, while "giving up" suggests resignation and a lack of effort to influence the situation. "Going with the flow" is about navigating changes, whereas giving up is about ceasing to try.