[Idiom] KNOW WHICH WAY THE WIND IS BLOWING. - Navigating Personal and Professional Environments Successfully

Understand prevailing trends or opinions.

Know which way the wind is blowing" is an idiom derived from sailing, where understanding wind direction is crucial for controlling a ship’s course. This metaphor has been adopted in everyday language to describe someone’s ability to assess the prevailing trends or opinions in a group or situation, helping them to make informed decisions or adjust their strategies accordingly.

Example Sentences

1. He's waiting to know which way the wind is blowing before he votes.

   He’s waiting to understand the general opinion before making his vote.

2. The manager didn't announce his decision right away; he wanted to know which way the wind was blowing among his team members first.

   The manager wants to understand his team's opinion before announcing his decision.

3. In politics, it's crucial to know which way the wind is blowing; hence politicians conduct surveys before making important decisions to gauge public opinion.

   In politics, gathering public opinion through surveys is crucial before making decisions.