a straw shows how the wind blows
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: a straw shows which way the wind blows
Meaning · English
A general situation can be inferred from minor indications.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “a straw shows how the wind blows” mean?
A general situation can be inferred from minor indications.
Is “a straw shows how the wind blows” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.