follow the leader: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “follow the leader” mean?
To do the same thing as the person in charge, or to conform to established norms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To do the same thing as the person in charge, or to conform to established norms.
A children's game where players must mimic the actions of a designated leader. Used metaphorically to describe imitative behavior, lack of independent thought, or adherence to trends set by an authority figure or majority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and its metaphorical use are identical. The children's game is universally known.
Connotations
Identical. Both varieties understand the pejorative sense of uncritical conformity.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “follow the leader” in a Sentence
[Subject] follow(s) the leaderIt's just a case of following the leader.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “follow the leader” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- In that firm, you're expected to just follow the leader and not question decisions.
- The children were in the garden playing a game and following the leader.
American English
- The tech startups often just follow the leader instead of developing unique products.
- At summer camp, the kids loved to follow the leader through the obstacle course.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Critiquing companies that merely copy competitors' strategies instead of innovating.
Academic
Describing social conformity in psychology or herd behavior in economics.
Everyday
Commenting on fashion trends, peer pressure, or children copying each other.
Technical
Rare. Possibly in game theory or algorithm design describing imitative algorithms.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “follow the leader”
- Using it in overly formal contexts. *'The government policy involved a follow-the-leader approach.' (Better: 'an imitative approach'). Confusing it with 'follow suit' (which comes from card games).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, when referring to the literal children's game, it is neutral. The negative connotation applies to its metaphorical use describing unthinking conformity.
Yes, it is commonly hyphenated when used attributively (before a noun), e.g., 'a follow-the-leader mentality'.
'Follow the leader' implies mimicking a specific person/entity in charge. 'Follow suit' (from cards) means to do the same thing someone else has just done, not necessarily a leader.
Not a single verb. The phrase itself functions as a verbal phrase, e.g., 'They follow the leader'. One cannot say 'to leader-follow'.
To do the same thing as the person in charge, or to conform to established norms.
Follow the leader is usually informal in register.
Follow the leader: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɒləʊ ðə ˈliːdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɑːloʊ ðə ˈliːdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Monkey see, monkey do.”
- “Just another sheep.”
- “Marching in lockstep.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a line of ducklings (the followers) swimming directly behind their mother (the leader).
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PARADE (where everyone must march in the same way as the person at the front).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'a follow-the-leader strategy' imply?