a straw shows how the wind blows

proverb

A general situation can be inferred from minor indications.

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Meanings

proverb

alternative a straw shows which way the wind blows

  1. A general situation can be inferred from minor indications.
Cite this entry
APA

a straw shows how the wind blows. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/a%20straw%20shows%20how%20the%20wind%20blows

MLA

“a straw shows how the wind blows.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/a%20straw%20shows%20how%20the%20wind%20blows. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “a straw shows how the wind blows,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/a%20straw%20shows%20how%20the%20wind%20blows.

Source: a straw shows how the wind blows on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.