# 顺水推舟

shùn shuǐ tuī zhōu

Use an existing situation to advance something

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Push a boat along the current

**Traditional Chinese:** 順水推舟

**Register:** Practical · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe facilitating a direction events are already taking.

It can be helpful or self-serving; it need not imply deception.

## Understanding the expression

A boat is easier to move when the current already carries it toward the desired destination. The expression describes taking advantage of that existing movement rather than forcing a completely new direction. Someone may accept an invitation, support a proposal, or settle an issue once conditions become favorable. It can suggest tact or opportunism depending on motive. The essential feature is that the situation supplies momentum the person then uses.

## Examples

大家都想提前散会，主任便顺水推舟地同意了。

### Traditional Chinese

大家都想提前散會，主任便順水推舟地同意了。

dà jiā dōu xiǎng tí qián sàn huì ， zhǔ rèn biàn shùn shuǐ tuī zhōu dì tóng yì le 。

Everyone wanted to finish early, so the director readily agreed.

客户提出试用，她顺水推舟介绍了新产品。

### Traditional Chinese

客戶提出試用，她順水推舟介紹了新產品。

kè hù tí chū shì yòng ， tā shùn shuǐ tuī zhōu jiè shào le xīn chǎn pǐn 。

When the customer asked for a trial, she used the opportunity to introduce the new product.

他想搬家，我就顺水推舟推荐了附近的房子。

### Traditional Chinese

他想搬家，我就順水推舟推薦了附近的房子。

tā xiǎng bān jiā ， wǒ jiù shùn shuǐ tuī zhōu tuī jiàn le fù jìn de fáng zi 。

Since he wanted to move, I naturally recommended a nearby home.

既然两人愿意合作，我们不妨顺水推舟帮他们牵线。

### Traditional Chinese

既然兩人願意合作，我們不妨順水推舟幫他們牽線。

jì rán liǎng rén yuàn yì hé zuò ， wǒ men bù fáng shùn shuǐ tuī zhōu bāng tā men qiān xiàn 。

Since both want to cooperate, we can help things along by introducing them.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%A0%86%E6%B0%B4%E6%8E%A8%E8%88%9F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=400&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [随波逐流 suí bō zhú liú Follow the crowd without direction ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sui-bo-zhu-liu)

- [随机应变 suí jī yìng biàn Adapt as circumstances change ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sui-ji-ying-bian)

- [随心所欲 suí xīn suǒ yù Do as one's own wishes suggest ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sui-xin-suo-yu)

- [贪小失大 tān xiǎo shī dà Lose something important for a minor gain ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tan-xiao-shi-da)

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