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Glite Dictionary
to ride the wave of popularity

to ride the wave of popularity

5.4
To gain from a sudden rise in public interest
  • idiom
translation icon : aprovechar la ola de popularidad
  • After her book won the award, she was able to ride the wave of popularity and secure several speaking engagements.

Examples

  • The brand tried to ride the wave of popularity by launching new products while interest was still high.

  • The singer is riding the wave of popularity after her latest hit.

  • He is well aware that he can't ride the wave of popularity forever and needs to plan for the future.

  • Can you believe he rode the wave of popularity so quickly?

  • The new smartphone model is riding the wave of popularity thanks to its innovative features.

  • After releasing his hit single, the artist managed to ride the wave of popularity for several months.

  • Many influencers attempt to ride the wave of popularity by promoting trending products on their social media.

Synonyms

to take off
vsto ride the wave of popularity
86 3.0

To become successful or popular very quickly

benefits from sudden public attention rather than being the cause
to be a thing
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Informal
64 6.6

To become popular or common, like a new fashion

benefits from temporary public attention rather than long trend status
to go viral
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Texting
61 3.8

To spread very quickly online and reach many people

benefits from online attention spikes rather than creating the content
to trend
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Texting
53 4.2

To become popular online for a short time

benefits from temporary public attention rather than naming the phenomenon
to blow up
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Texting
26 3.4

To become very popular quickly, often online

benefits from short public attention rather than causing the spread
to take by storm
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Informal
23 4.4

To quickly become very popular and liked by many people

benefits from sudden attention rather than being the initial cause
to become popular
vsto ride the wave of popularity
22 2.4

Many people start to like or use something

benefits from a short popularity spike rather than general acceptance
to jump on the bandwagon
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Informal
20 5.0

To start doing something popular because many others do it, often to get an advantage

benefits from short public attention rather than simply following
to ride high
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Informal
11 5.9

To be very successful and confident for a time

benefits from short public attention rather than sustained high status
to gain traction
vsto ride the wave of popularity
9 4.2

Begin to be accepted or used by many people

benefits from sudden temporary attention rather than gradual establishment
to catch fire
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Texting
5 3.7

To become very popular quickly, especially online

benefits from sudden attention rather than originating the rapid spread
to ride the wave
vsto ride the wave of popularity
3 4.2

To use a current trend or chance while it lasts to get advantage

benefits from short public attention rather than starting it
to step into the spotlight
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Informal
1 5.1

Become the main focus of people's attention after doing something important

benefits from short attention rather than actively seeking central fame
to catch a wave
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Informal
6.9

To use a rising trend or new interest to grow quickly

benefits from short public attention rather than creating the trend
to take off like gangbusters
vsto ride the wave of popularity
  • Informal
8.2

Become very popular or successful very quickly

benefits from sudden public attention rather than originating rapid success
to take the market by storm
vsto ride the wave of popularity
4.4

To become very popular with customers and sell a lot very quickly

benefits from rapid public interest rather than being the market driver

Antonyms

to decline
344 3.7

To become less over time, for example in value or health

fall from grace
8 6.6

A loss of status and respect after wrongdoing

How Opportunistic

to ride the wave of popularity
5.4

Surface Forms

ride the wave of popularity infinitive
riding the wave of popularity present participle
rides the wave of popularity third person singular
rode the wave of popularity past
ridden the wave of popularity past participle

Morphology

ride + the + wave + of + popularity

The expression combines 'ride' (metaphorically taking advantage of momentum) with 'wave' (a surge) and 'popularity' (being well-liked), so the overall sense — benefiting from a sudden surge in public attention — is inferable from the parts but relies on a metaphorical mapping. This makes it only partially predictable for a B1 learner: the components give strong clues, but the idiomatic, metaphorical use of 'ride' on a 'wave' means some learners may need exposure to confirm the precise meaning.

Etymology

Ride the wave of popularity paints a picture of a surfer catching a big wave and moving forward by riding it. That's why the phrase means 'to benefit from a sudden increase in public attention'.