Choose the correct idiom for the word highlighted in bold.
Upon observing the growing popularity of electric vehicles, most conventional car companies chose to jump on the bandwagon and launch their own models.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
To follow others in being part of a popular trend.
Explanation
The sentence asks for the correct meaning of the idiom jump on the bandwagon. This expression originates from historical political campaigns where people would literally climb onto a wagon carrying a musical band to show their support for a popular candidate. Figuratively, it describes a situation where an individual or organization decides to adopt a specific opinion, activity, or commercial strategy simply because it has become highly successful or fashionable. In this context, conventional car companies followed the profitable trend established by the rising popularity of electric vehicles.
Key Points
Word: Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To follow others in being part of a popular trend; to join an activity that has become successful.
Grammatical Role: Idiomatic phrase (functions as an infinitive verb phrase expressing action or choice in the sentence).