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follow suit
follow suit
to follow in the same pattern; to follow someone else's example. (From card games.) Mary went to work for a bank, and Jane followed suit. Now they are both head cashiers. The Smiths went out to dinner, but the Browns didn't follow suit. They stayed home.
follow suit
to do the same as someone else has just done If other stores lower their prices, we'll have to follow suit.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of follow suit ( to play a card of the same type as someone else just played in a card game)
follow suit
to do the same as someone else has just done
Usage notes: If you follow suit when you are playing a card game, you put down a card with the same type of symbol on it as the card put down by the person before you.
If other companies lower their prices, we shall have to follow suit. follow suit
Imitate or do as someone else has done, as in Bill decided to leave for the rest of the day, and Mary followed suit. This term comes from card games in which one must play a card from the same suit as the one led. [Mid-1800s]
follow suit
1. Games To play a card of the same suit as the one led.
2. To do as another has done; follow an example.