let a thousand flowers bloom
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
One should not interfere with promising developments in their early stages.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
It is probably safe to say that each year thousands of workers are victims of what might be called the “let a thousand flowers bloom” maneuver, formulated by Mao Tse-tung when he controlled the world's most populous country.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “let a thousand flowers bloom” mean?
One should not interfere with promising developments in their early stages.
Is “let a thousand flowers bloom” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.