trim one's sails to the wind; see which way the wind blows
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
trim one's sails to the wind; adapt to circumstances; be opportunistic
neutralOften implies a lack of principle and changing one's behavior for personal advantage. Can be used neutrally or slightly derogatorily.
Tā他
shàn善
yú于
jiàn见
fēng风
shǐ使
duò舵
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
zài在
zhí职
chǎng场
zhōng中
hùn混
de得
bù不
cuò错
。
He is good at trimming his sails to the wind, so he does quite well in the workplace.
Zhè这
ge个
zhèng政
kè客
méi没
yǒu有
zì自
jǐ己
de的
zhǔ主
zhāng张
，
zhǐ只
huì会
jiàn见
fēng风
shǐ使
duò舵
。
This politician has no principles of his own and just goes whichever way the wind blows.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zài在
shì市
chǎng场
biàn变
huà化
miàn面
qián前
，
qǐ企
yè业
xū需
yào要
shì适
shí时
dì地
jiàn见
fēng风
shǐ使
duò舵
。
Faced with market changes, enterprises need to adapt opportunistically in a timely manner.