Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

go with the flow

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.66 in modern English

Syllables: go with- the flow
IPA

29

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To act as others are acting, conforming to common behavior patterns with an attitude of calm acceptance.

Example Sentences

"“Look, you know, I go with the flow based on what the campaign wants to do,” Priebus told NBC’s Meet the Press. “I think Kellyanne is doing a phenomenal job. I don’t know Steve Bannon, to tell you the truth, very well.”"

Etymology

Here, flow is used in the sense of "direction of movement."

Inflected Forms

goes with the flow (present, singular) going with the flow (participle, present) went with the flow (past) gone with the flow (participle, past)

Phrases

ride with the punches take things as they come

Frequently Paired Words

ride with the punches take things as they come

Synonyms

blow with the wind float with the stream

Antonyms

go against the flow

Questions

What does go with the flow mean?: To act as others are acting, conforming to common behavior patterns with an attitude of calm acceptance.
Where does go with the flow come from?: Here, flow is used in the sense of "direction of movement."

How to pronounce go with the flow

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “go with the flow”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “go with the flow”.
Repeat and practice — Say “go with the flow” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.