when America sneezes, the world catches a cold
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Events in the United States tend to have a major impact on other countries.
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 “when America sneezes, the world catches a cold” mean?
Events in the United States tend to have a major impact on other countries.
Is “when America sneezes, the world catches a cold” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.