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“Follow suit” is a helpful idiomatic phrase heard or seen frequently in everyday conversation and writing. Here you will find the meaning of the phrase and the story of its origin. You will also find examples of how to properly use this phrase in everyday conversations/statements and other ways you can say this phrase to convey the same meaning.
Follow Suit
Follow Suit Meaning
The idiomatic phrase “follow suit” means to follow someone else’s lead in a situation and perform the same actions they have done in the same given situation.
Origin of this idiom
This phrase dates back to the 1800s when the playing of card games was a popular past time. In a standard deck of playing cards, there are four suits. These four suits are hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades. Most card games require that the players follow suit of the plays that were made before their turn. The phrase became widely used sine then to describe situations where people followed the lead of others.
“Follow Suit” Examples
Examples in Statements
A local newspaper story on an inner city school having issues controlling their student body.
- “A new program was introduced to the school today and a group of select students was chosen to participate in the program. School authorities hope that, through their example, the remainder of the student body will follow suit.”
A statement made by the coach of the local high school football team after winning the state championship.
- “We just won the state championship game! We hope that our other high school sport’s teams will follow suit.”
Examples in Conversations
A conversation between two co-workers regarding another co-worker.
- Co-worker 1: Susan says she is going to leave early again so she doesn’t miss her son’s hockey game tonight.
- Co-worker 2: If she leaves early again, I am going to follow suit.
- Co-worker 1: Me too!
A conversation between two friends at lunch.
- Friend 1: They have nachos in the cafeteria today. I am going to get some.
- Friend 2: I am going to follow suit.
More useful examples:
- Efforts to persuade the remainder to follow suit have continued.
- Other companies that produce site blocking software are expected to follow suit.
- The federal government fears that other states are likely to follow suit.
Other Ways to Say “Follow Suit”
Like most idiomatic phrases, there are numerous ways to say “follow suit” in more literal terms. Other things you could say to convey the same meaning include I am going to also, I am too or I am also going to do the same thing.
“Follow Suit” synonyms list:
- Do the same thing
- Follow this example
- Copy
- Do likewise
- Do that
Follow Suit | Image
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