trim one's sails to the wind; change with the wind
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to change one's position or attitude according to the prevailing trend; to trim one's sails to the wind
derogatoryVariant of 顺风转舵. Often carries a negative connotation, implying opportunism or lack of firm principles. Used to describe someone who readily changes their stance based on political or social trends.
Tā他
shì是
gè个
suí随
fēng风
zhuǎn转
duò舵
de的
rén人
，
nǎ哪
biān边
shì势
lì力
dà大
jiù就
dǎo倒
xiàng向
nǎ哪
biān边
。
He is a weathercock who turns wherever the wind blows, siding with whoever is more powerful.
Zài在
guān官
chǎng场
shàng上
，
nà那
xiē些
shàn善
yú于
suí随
fēng风
zhuǎn转
duò舵
de的
rén人
wǎng往
wǎng往
néng能
hùn混
dé得
fēng风
shēng生
shuǐ水
qǐ起
。
In officialdom, those who are good at trimming their sails to the wind often thrive.
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Zuò做
shēng生
yì意
yào要
yǒu有
yuán原
zé则
，
bù不
néng能
suí随
fēng风
zhuǎn转
duò舵
，
jiàn见
lì利
wàng忘
yì义
。
One must have principles in business and cannot chop and change with every wind, forgetting righteousness for profit.