Meaning of the word "a straw will show which way the wind blows" in English

What does "a straw will show which way the wind blows" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

a straw will show which way the wind blows

US /ə strɔː wɪl ʃoʊ wɪtʃ weɪ ðə wɪnd bloʊz/
UK /ə strɔː wɪl ʃəʊ wɪtʃ weɪ ðə wɪnd bləʊz/
"a straw will show which way the wind blows" picture

Idiom

small signs or minor events can indicate a larger trend or the general direction of public opinion

Example:
The slight change in local voting patterns is just a small thing, but a straw will show which way the wind blows.
He watched the minor stock fluctuations closely, knowing that a straw will show which way the wind blows.