Top 52 Slang For Follow – Meaning & Usage

In today’s fast-paced world of social media, staying connected and up-to-date is essential. Whether you’re a seasoned influencer or just trying to keep up with the latest trends, understanding the slang for “follow” is a must. At Fluentslang, we’ve scoured the internet to bring you a list of the trendiest and most popular phrases used to express the act of following someone on social media. Get ready to level up your online game and master the art of the follow!

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1. Stalk

This term is often used to describe someone who closely follows and keeps track of another person’s online activities without their knowledge or consent.

For example, “She had to block him on social media because he was starting to stalk her.”
In a conversation about online privacy, someone might say, “It’s important to be aware of who might be stalking your profile.”
A person might joke, “I’m just going to stalk their Instagram and see what they’ve been up to lately.”

2. FOMO

This term refers to the feeling of anxiety or unease that someone might experience when they believe others are having more enjoyable experiences or opportunities, and they are missing out on them.

For instance, “I couldn’t miss the party because I had serious FOMO.”
In a discussion about social media, someone might say, “Seeing everyone’s vacation photos on Instagram gives me major FOMO.”
A person might admit, “I sometimes say yes to events I don’t really want to attend because I have FOMO.”

3. Keep tabs on

This phrase is used to describe the act of closely following or observing someone or something to stay informed or updated about their activities or progress.

For example, “I like to keep tabs on my favorite celebrities by following their social media accounts.”
In a conversation about a sports team, someone might say, “I always keep tabs on their performance and stats.”
A person might explain, “I keep tabs on my finances by tracking my expenses and income.”

4. Shadow

This term is often used to describe the act of secretly following someone to track their movements or actions without their knowledge or consent.

For instance, “The detective decided to shadow the suspect to gather more evidence.”
In a discussion about espionage, someone might say, “Agents often have to shadow their targets to gather intelligence.”
A person might confess, “I once shadowed my friend to plan a surprise party for them.”

5. Tag along

This phrase is used to describe the act of joining someone or a group without being explicitly invited or included, often by simply following along.

For example, “I asked if I could tag along with my friends to the concert.”
In a conversation about a road trip, someone might say, “We invited him to tag along because we had extra space in the car.”
A person might suggest, “If you’re going to the mall, can I tag along? I need to pick up a few things too.”

6. Tail

To tail someone means to follow them closely, usually without their knowledge. It can be used in a literal sense, as in following someone physically, or in a figurative sense, as in monitoring someone’s actions or movements.

For example, a detective might say, “We need to tail the suspect and see where he goes.”
In a spy movie, a character might be assigned to “tail” a target and gather information.
A journalist investigating a story might say, “I’m going to tail the politician and see who they meet with.”

7. Track

To track someone means to closely monitor their actions or movements, usually with their knowledge. It can refer to keeping tabs on someone’s activities, either in person or online.

For instance, a parent might say, “I need to track my child’s whereabouts using a GPS device.”
In the digital world, websites and apps often track user behavior to personalize their experience.
A company might use tracking software to monitor employee productivity.

8. Trail

To trail someone means to follow them discreetly, usually without their knowledge. It implies following someone at a distance, often to observe or gather information.

For example, a private investigator might say, “I’m going to trail the cheating spouse and see who they meet.”
In a mystery novel, a detective might trail a suspect to gather evidence.
A journalist might trail a public figure to uncover any hidden activities.

9. Buddy up

To buddy up means to stick together with someone, usually for companionship or support. It implies following someone closely and being their friend or ally.

For instance, a group of friends might say, “Let’s buddy up and explore the city together.”
In a team-building exercise, participants might be asked to buddy up and complete a task together.
A mentor might tell their mentee, “I’ll buddy up with you and guide you through this project.”

10. Stick with

To stick with someone means to stay with them and follow their lead or decision. It implies remaining loyal or committed to someone or something.

For example, a group of friends might say, “Let’s stick with our original plan and go to the beach.”
In a business meeting, someone might say, “I think we should stick with our current strategy.”
A coach might encourage their team to stick with the game plan and not give up.

11. Go after

To chase or follow someone or something in order to catch or reach them.

For example, “The detective went after the suspect in a high-speed chase.”
A sports commentator might say, “The player with the ball is going after the goal.”
In a job interview, a candidate might ask, “What opportunities for growth and advancement can I go after in this company?”

12. Fall in line

To comply with rules or expectations; to follow the established order or behave in the same way as others.

For instance, “In the military, soldiers are expected to fall in line and obey commands.”
A teacher might say, “Students, please fall in line and form a straight line.”
In a group project, a team member might suggest, “Let’s all fall in line and work together to meet the deadline.”

13. Keep up with

To stay informed about the latest information or developments; to follow the progress or actions of someone or something.

For example, “It’s important to keep up with current events to be well-informed.”
A fan of a TV show might say, “I can’t wait for the new season. I need to keep up with the storyline.”
In a fast-paced industry, a professional might advise, “To succeed, you need to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.”

14. Shadow someone’s footsteps

To closely follow or imitate someone’s actions, behavior, or career path.

For instance, “Aspiring musicians often shadow the footsteps of their favorite artists.”
A mentor might say, “If you want to succeed in this field, it’s important to shadow the footsteps of successful individuals.”
In a job interview, a candidate might mention, “I’ve been shadowing the footsteps of a senior employee to learn the ropes.”

15. Keep in step

To maintain the same pace or rhythm as others; to follow along without falling behind.

For example, “In a marching band, it’s important to keep in step with the rest of the musicians.”
A dance instructor might say, “Make sure to keep in step with the music and the other dancers.”
In a team sport, a coach might emphasize, “To win the game, everyone needs to keep in step and work together.”

16. Go along with

This phrase is used to express agreement or support for someone or something. It implies following along with someone’s ideas or actions.

For example, “I’ll go along with your plan and see how it goes.”
In a discussion about a group project, a team member might say, “Let’s all go along with Jane’s suggestion.”
Someone might comment, “I don’t agree with the decision, but I’ll go along with it for now.”

17. Keep on someone’s heels

This phrase means to closely follow or pursue someone, often with the intention of keeping a close eye on their actions or movements.

For instance, “The detective kept on the suspect’s heels throughout the investigation.”
In a race, a commentator might say, “The second-place runner is keeping on the leader’s heels.”
A parent might warn their child, “I’ll be keeping on your heels during the field trip to make sure you stay safe.”

18. Be on someone’s tail

This phrase means to closely follow behind someone, often with the intention of monitoring their actions or movements closely.

For example, “The paparazzi were on the celebrity’s tail as they left the restaurant.”
In a car chase scene, a character might say, “We need to stay on their tail and not let them escape.”
A boss might tell an employee, “I’ll be on your tail until the project is completed.”

19. Keep an eye on

This phrase means to watch or monitor someone or something closely, often to ensure their safety or to stay informed about their actions.

For instance, “Can you keep an eye on my bag while I use the restroom?”
A parent might say to their child, “I’ll be keeping an eye on you during the school field trip.”
In a neighborhood watch meeting, a resident might say, “Let’s all keep an eye on any suspicious activities in our area.”

20. Stick to

This phrase means to continue with or follow a plan or decision without deviating from it.

For example, “I’ll stick to my original idea for the project.”
In a debate, someone might say, “I’ll stick to my argument and defend it with evidence.”
A dieter might say, “I need to stick to my meal plan to reach my weight loss goals.”

21. Fall behind

When you “fall behind,” it means you are unable to keep up with someone or something. This can refer to being physically behind in a race or being behind in understanding or completing a task.

For example, in a marathon, a runner might say, “I started strong, but I fell behind around mile 10.”
In a work setting, a coworker might mention, “I fell behind on my emails because of the meeting.”
A student might confess, “I fell behind in my math class and need to catch up.”

22. Keep track of

To “keep track of” means to monitor or stay updated on something. It can refer to keeping a record of events or progress, or simply staying informed about someone or something.

For instance, a manager might say, “Please keep track of the hours you work this week.”
A parent might ask, “Can you keep track of your little sister while I’m out?”
A person might mention, “I like to keep track of my expenses to manage my budget better.”

23. Keep in touch with

To “keep in touch with” means to maintain communication or contact with someone. It can refer to staying connected through phone calls, messages, or in-person meetings.

For example, a friend might say, “Let’s keep in touch after you move to a different city.”
A family member might remind another, “Don’t forget to keep in touch with your grandparents.”
A colleague might suggest, “We should keep in touch to collaborate on future projects.”

24. Creep

In slang terms, “creep” refers to stalking or monitoring someone online without their knowledge or consent. It can involve excessive viewing of their social media profiles or constantly checking their online activities.

For instance, a person might say, “I noticed my ex-boyfriend keeps creeping on my Instagram posts.”
A friend might warn, “Be careful, there are people who creep on others’ private Facebook profiles.”
A teenager might confess, “I can’t help but creep on my crush’s Snapchat stories.”

25. Dog

To “dog” someone means to follow them closely or keep an eye on their actions. It can imply suspicion or surveillance of someone’s activities.

For example, a detective might say, “We need to dog the suspect’s every move.”
A parent might warn their child, “I’ll be dogging you until you finish your homework.”
A friend might jokingly say, “I’ll dog you all day to make sure you don’t get into trouble.”

26. Hound

To hound someone means to constantly follow or pursue them, often in a persistent and annoying way.

For example, “The paparazzi hounded the celebrity as she tried to leave the restaurant.”
A detective might say, “We hounded the suspect for weeks before finally catching him.”
In a conversation about a persistent ex-partner, someone might say, “He won’t stop hounding me, even though we broke up months ago.”

27. Pursue

To pursue means to actively chase or seek something or someone.

For instance, “He pursued his dreams of becoming an actor and eventually landed a leading role.”
A sports commentator might say, “The runner is pursuing the record for the fastest mile.”
In a conversation about dating, someone might say, “I’m not actively pursuing a relationship right now.”

28. Tailing

Tailing refers to following someone closely, usually with the intention of staying unnoticed.

For example, “The detective was tailing the suspect to gather evidence.”
In a spy movie, a character might say, “I’ve been tailing the target for days without being detected.”
A person discussing surveillance might say, “The security team is tailing the suspicious individual to ensure they don’t escape.”

29. Monitor

To monitor means to watch or observe something or someone closely, often for a specific purpose.

For instance, “Parents should monitor their children’s online activities to ensure their safety.”
A scientist might say, “We monitor the levels of pollution in the river to assess its impact on the ecosystem.”
In a conversation about security, someone might say, “We have cameras installed to monitor the premises 24/7.”

30. Adhere to

To adhere to means to follow or comply with a rule, guideline, or instruction.

For example, “Employees are expected to adhere to the company’s dress code.”
A teacher might say, “Please adhere to the deadlines for submitting your assignments.”
In a conversation about a strict diet, someone might say, “I try to adhere to a gluten-free lifestyle to manage my health condition.”

31. Observe

To watch or monitor someone or something closely.

For example, a detective might say, “We need to observe the suspect’s movements.”
A teacher might tell their students, “Observe how the experiment unfolds.”
In a nature documentary, the narrator might say, “Let’s observe the behavior of these animals in their natural habitat.”

32. Shadowing

To closely follow someone, usually without their knowledge, in order to observe their actions or gather information.

For instance, a private investigator might be shadowing a person of interest.
In a spy movie, a character might say, “I’ll be shadowing the target from a safe distance.”
A journalist might shadow a politician to get exclusive insights into their campaign.

33. Watch

To keep a close watch or monitor someone or something.

For example, a parent might tell their child, “Make sure you watch your younger sibling.”
A security guard might watch the surveillance cameras for any suspicious activity.
A supervisor might say, “I’ll watch your progress and provide feedback along the way.”

34. Pursuit

To actively chase or follow someone or something in order to catch or capture them.

For instance, a police officer might be in pursuit of a suspect.
In a thrilling movie scene, a character might say, “We need to go in pursuit of the enemy.”
A hunter might be in pursuit of a rare animal for sport or conservation purposes.

35. Trail behind

To follow someone closely, usually behind them, without being a direct part of their group or activity.

For example, a younger sibling might trail behind their older sibling at the mall.
In a hiking group, someone might trail behind to enjoy the scenery at their own pace.
A friend might say, “Can I trail behind you during the concert? I don’t want to get separated.”

36. Keep in step with

This phrase means to stay aligned or in agreement with someone or something. It often implies following someone’s lead or adhering to a certain standard or pace.

For example, in a dance class, the instructor might say, “Try to keep in step with the music.”
In a team project, a leader might encourage their teammates to “keep in step with the company’s vision.”
A friend might advise, “If you want to fit in, try to keep in step with the latest fashion trends.”

37. Buddy up with

This slang phrase means to form a close friendship or alliance with someone. It suggests a sense of camaraderie or mutual support.

For instance, in a new school, a student might try to “buddy up with” another student to feel more comfortable.
In a workplace, colleagues might “buddy up with” each other to tackle a challenging project.
A person attending a social event might say, “Let’s buddy up with someone we know so we don’t feel awkward.”

38. Fall in line with

This phrase means to align one’s beliefs, actions, or behaviors with a particular standard or expectation. It implies following the rules or guidelines set by others.

For example, in a military setting, soldiers are expected to “fall in line with” orders from their superiors.
In a company, employees might need to “fall in line with” the company’s policies and procedures.
A student might say, “I don’t always agree with the rules, but I have to fall in line with them.”

39. Come after

This phrase means to chase or follow someone or something in order to catch up or reach a desired goal or outcome.

For instance, in a game of tag, one player might yell, “I’m coming after you!”
In a race, a runner might try to “come after” the person in front to overtake them.
A manager might say, “We need to come after new business opportunities to expand our market share.”

40. Tread in someone’s footsteps

This phrase means to imitate or emulate someone’s actions or achievements. It suggests walking the same path or following the same course of action.

For example, a young musician might say, “I want to tread in the footsteps of my favorite artist.”
In a family business, a child might choose to “tread in their parent’s footsteps” and continue the legacy.
A mentor might advise their protégé, “Don’t be afraid to tread in my footsteps and learn from my experiences.”

41. Spy

To spy means to secretly observe someone or something, typically without their knowledge or consent.

For example, “She spied on her neighbor through the window.”
In a spy movie, a character might say, “I’ve been sent to spy on the enemy.”
A person might jokingly say, “I saw you spying on me, you sneaky!”

42. Keep an eye out

To keep an eye out means to stay alert and watchful for something or someone.

For instance, “Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in the neighborhood.”
A person might say, “I’ll keep an eye out for any job openings.”
In a conversation about finding a lost item, someone might advise, “Keep an eye out for it, it might turn up.”

43. Be in the loop

To be in the loop means to stay informed or included in the latest information or updates about a particular topic or situation.

For example, “Make sure you’re in the loop for any upcoming events.”
A person might say, “I want to be in the loop regarding any changes to the project.”
In a workplace setting, someone might ask, “Can you keep me in the loop about any important meetings?”

44. Stay connected

To stay connected means to maintain communication or contact with someone, typically through various means such as phone calls, messages, or social media.

For instance, “Even though we live far apart, we still stay connected through video calls.”
A person might say, “It’s important to stay connected with family and friends.”
In a discussion about networking, someone might advise, “Make sure to stay connected with professionals in your field.”

45. Keep in touch

To keep in touch means to maintain contact or communication with someone, typically through periodic messages or interactions.

For example, “We should keep in touch after we graduate.”
A person might say, “I’ll keep in touch and let you know how things are going.”
In a conversation about old friends, someone might ask, “Do you still keep in touch with them?”

46. Stay in the know

This phrase means to stay updated or aware of the latest information or developments.

For example, “If you want to be successful in the industry, you need to stay in the know about current trends.”
A friend might say, “Make sure you stay in the know about the party details.”
A news article might encourage readers to “Stay in the know with our daily newsletter.”

47. Stay in the loop

To stay in the loop means to stay informed and involved in a particular situation or group.

For instance, “Make sure you stay in the loop about any changes to the project.”
A coworker might say, “Keep me in the loop about any updates on the client’s request.”
A friend might ask, “Can you keep me in the loop about your travel plans?”

48. Keep an ear to the ground

This phrase means to stay alert and attentive to the latest information or rumors, especially in regards to a specific situation or topic.

For example, “Journalists need to keep an ear to the ground for any breaking news.”
A detective might say, “We need to keep an ear to the ground to catch any leads on the case.”
A friend might advise, “Keep an ear to the ground about job opportunities in the industry.”

49. Stay on top of

To stay on top of something means to stay updated and in control of a situation or task.

For instance, “In order to succeed, you need to stay on top of your responsibilities.”
A manager might say, “Make sure you stay on top of the project deadlines.”
A parent might remind their child, “Stay on top of your schoolwork to maintain good grades.”

50. Be in someone’s shadow

To be in someone’s shadow means to closely follow or imitate someone, often to the point of being overshadowed by their success or influence.

For example, “As a young musician, he struggled to find his own voice and was often in his father’s shadow.”
A coworker might say, “I feel like I’m always in my manager’s shadow, never getting the recognition I deserve.”
A friend might comment, “She’s always in her older sister’s shadow, trying to live up to her achievements.”

51. Go behind

This phrase is often used to describe following someone discreetly or secretly, especially with the intention of gathering information or observing their actions without their knowledge.

For example, a detective might say, “We need to go behind the suspect to gather evidence.”
In a spy movie, a character might be instructed, “Go behind the target and see what they’re up to.”
A person discussing investigative journalism might say, “Sometimes reporters have to go behind powerful individuals to uncover the truth.”

52. Track down

To actively search for and locate someone or something. This phrase is commonly used when trying to find a person or object that is difficult to locate or has intentionally gone into hiding.

For instance, a bounty hunter might be hired to track down a fugitive.
In a mystery novel, the detective might track down a missing person.
A person trying to find a rare item might say, “I’ve been trying to track down that collectible for years.”