go native

Idioms  

1. Adopt another people's way of life, especially that of a culture from a less developed country. For example, Ben's decided to go native, sleeping in a hammock and eating all kinds of strange foods. This expression is closely associated with the often contemptuous view British colonists had of indigenous peoples. [c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

But dogs that go native make bad guards, hunting companions, and friends.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 29, 2020

Some have tried; most get lost or go native in the maze.

From Slate • Jul. 17, 2020

Or maybe after some time in Ghana, the diplomats go native and accept that nothing is expected to start on time.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2019

In recent years, with U.S.-Russia ties increasingly frosty, the fast food chain has pursued a different strategy: go native.

From Reuters • Feb. 2, 2017

Ten minutes later we were engaged in a brisk debate in which the question before the house was, stated boldly, Should we or should we not "go native?"

From The Cruise of the Kawa by Chappell, George S. (George Shepard)