jump on the bandwagon

Meaning

This expression means to join a popular activity, trend, or opinion to become successful or fit in. It is often used with a slightly critical tone, implying that someone is only doing something because everyone else is doing it, rather than out of genuine interest.

Examples

• A lot of tech companies are jumping on the AI bandwagon just to please their investors.

  A lot of tech companies are jumping on the AI bandwagon just to please their investors.

• I decided to jump on the bandwagon and start baking sourdough bread like everyone else did during the lockdown.

  I decided to jump on the bandwagon and start baking sourdough bread like everyone else did during the lockdown.

• She accused the politician of jumping on the bandwagon of environmentalism only during an election year.

  She accused the politician of jumping on the bandwagon of environmentalism only during an election year.

• When the local football team started winning, suddenly everyone jumped on the bandwagon.

  When the local football team started winning, suddenly everyone jumped on the bandwagon.

• I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon; I've actually been using this productivity app for years.

  I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon; I've actually been using this productivity app for years.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He jumped on the wagon of the new trend.

  ✓ He jumped on the bandwagon of the new trend.

  "Bandwagon" is a single compound word. "On the wagon" actually means abstaining from alcohol, which changes the meaning completely.

• ✗ Many people are jumping to the bandwagon.

  ✓ Many people are jumping on the bandwagon.

  The correct preposition is "on" (or sometimes "onto"), not "to".

Related Expressions

Practice

• After the movie became a massive hit, several clothing brands decided to ___.

  💡 Join a popular trend.

  Show answer

  jump on the bandwagon

• I don't want to just ___ of this new diet unless there's actual scientific proof.

  💡 Start doing something just because it's popular.

  Show answer

  jump on the bandwagon