草くさ木きもなびく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

bow en masse to authority; be drawn to something attractive; even the plants yield

Idiomatic expression meaning that many people submit to a powerful authority or are irresistibly attracted to something, just as plants bend in the wind. The literal image is 'even the plants yield'.

• 新しん社しゃ長ちょうの前まえでは、社しゃ員いんたちは草くさ木きもなびくように従したがった。

  Before the new president, the employees bowed like plants bending in the wind.

• そのアイドルが登とう場じょうすると、ファンは草くさ木きもなびくようにステージに集あつまった。

  When that idol appeared, fans were drawn to the stage like plants bending toward the sun.