Follow suit

We use the expression “follow suit” when we talk about somebody doing the same as – or copying – someone else.

It comes from a card game called whist in which a player must put down cards from the same “suit” (diamonds, hearts, clubs or spades) as the previous player.

Some examples:

• When the shop lowered its prices, other shops followed suit.
• Just because he did something silly, it doesn’t mean you have to follow suit.
• Smaller teams followed suit when Barcelona introduced a new tactic.
• I started going for a swim every weekend, and my friends followed suit.
• The singer wore a cowboy hat, and her fans soon followed suit.
• Whatever they say, you just follow suit. You should make your own mind up.

Some similar expressions:

• follow someone’s lead
• follow someone’s example
• take a page from someone’s book
• follow in someone’s footsteps
• go along with
• copy
• copycat
• take a cue from
• set the trend
• lead the way
• emulate
• imitate

_{Posted by Graham}

_{Thanks to Yula for the question}