straws in the wind—slight hints that show which way things may develop:
- There have been other things, straws in the wind, maybe, which give reason to think that contemporary standards are in a process of decline.
throw straws against the wind —(also: spit against the wind) engage in futile action or fruitless effort:
- You will be throwing straws against the wind if you try to do anything for that youth—he is incurable.