Germany
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first (some place), then the world
1. cliché First this location will be conquered, and then in the near future we will conquer the world. "First France, then the world!" cackled the evil leader, as his army poured out of the stronghold and swept across the country.
2. By extension, we will first find success in this location, then that success will quickly spread to the rest of the world. I have a feeling that this product could revolutionize the way the entire planet consumes media. First the United States, then the world!
today (some place), tomorrow the world
1. cliché First this location will be conquered, soon to be followed by the entire world. "Today France, tomorrow the world!" cackled the evil leader, as his army poured out of the stronghold and swept across the country.
2. By extension, we will first find success in this location, then that success will quickly spread to the rest of the world. I have a feeling that this product could revolutionize the way the entire planet consumes media. Today the United States, tomorrow the world!
when (something) sneezes, (something else) catches a cold
When a person, group, or entity has a problem or experiences a negative situation, a related person, group, or entity will consequently have a worse problem or will experience a more negative situation. When Paris sneezes, Europe catches a cold. Terrorism in France affects security throughout the continent.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
when the US/UK/China, etc. sneezes, Japan/Germany, etc. catches cold
orwhen the US/UK/China, etc. sneezes, Japan/Germany, etc. catches a cold
mainly BRITISHIf you say that when a particular country sneezes, another catches cold, or catches a cold, you mean that what happens to the first country has a great effect or influence on the second. And when the American economy sneezes, the City of London catches cold. As they say, when America sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012