Jumping on the bandwagon
Subirse al carro or Ir con la corriente
What Does It Mean?
«Jumping on the Bandwagon» is an idiom that describes the act of joining a trend or adopting a popular belief or activity. It implies that someone is following the crowd rather than forming their own independent opinion. The translation for «bandwagon» in Spanish is «moda» or «corriente”.
Where did it come from?
The origin of this idiom dates back to the 19th century when politicians would campaign from a bandwagon, and supporters would literally jump on it to show their endorsement. Over time, it evolved into a figurative expression for following trends.
Examples in Context
- “She started eating vegan when it became trendy, just jumping on the bandwagon without knowing much about it.»
- «Many people invested in cryptocurrency after it gained popularity, simply jumping on the bandwagon.”
- «He’s not genuinely interested in politics; he’s just jumping on the bandwagon of the winning party.»
Variations
- Hopping on the bandwagon: A slightly different wording with the same meaning.
- Going with the flow: An alternative way to express a similar concept.
Why It’s Useful
Understanding and using this idiom adds depth to your English language skills, allowing you to comment on people’s behaviour or decisions when they follow trends without genuine interest or understanding.
In Summary
Meaning: Joining a trend or popular belief without independent thought.
Usage: To comment on following trends without genuine interest or understanding.
Origin: Derived from political campaigning in the 19th century.
Over to You!
Now that you’re familiar with ‘Jumping on the Bandwagon,’ try incorporating it into your conversations. It’s a valuable phrase for discussing societal trends and behaviours
Language learning is an exciting journey. By mastering idioms like ‘Jumping on the Bandwagon,’ you’ll express yourself with finesse and insight.
El autor es Aimee,
directora y una especialista en educación hablante nativa.