PhrasesHub

Against the grain

    Definitions

      • Doing something in an unconventional or non-traditional way
        To go against societal or cultural norms, to be different or unconventional in one's actions or beliefs

      • Resisting or opposing something
        To oppose an idea, belief, or action, often going against the majority or common opinion

      • Causing difficulty or discomfort
        To do something that is uncomfortable or difficult, often causing resistance or difficulty in achieving the desired outcome

    Examples of Against the grain

    • Sarah decided to start her own business, going against the grain of her family's traditional career choices.

      The idiom "against the grain" means to go against the common or expected way of doing something. In this example, Sarah's decision to start her own business went against the traditional career paths of her family, which could be seen as going against the grain.

    • The committee's decision to reject the proposal went against the grain of the company's usual practices.

      In this example, the committee's decision to reject the proposal went against the typical or usual practices of the company, which could be seen as going against the grain.

    • The artist's painting, with its unconventional style, went against the grain of the art world's current trends.

      Here, the artist's painting, with its unique style, went against the current trends and popular styles in the art world, which could be seen as going against the grain.

    • The athlete's decision to switch sports went against the grain of his natural abilities and training.

      In this example, the athlete's decision to switch sports went against his natural abilities and training, which could be seen as going against the grain.

    • The student's decision to skip class went against the grain of his academic record and potential for success.

      Here, the student's decision to skip class went against his academic record and potential for success, which could be seen as going against the grain.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "against the grain" can be used in various contexts, but all share the common theme of going against the norm or facing challenges. It can be used to describe someone who is unconventional, a non-conformist, or someone who resists the status quo. It can also be used to describe a difficult or uncomfortable situation, where one must go against the grain in order to achieve their desired outcome.

    Origin of "Against the grain"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the process of milling grain into flour. In traditional milling, the grain is ground against the grain, meaning it is ground in the opposite direction of its natural growth. This process is more difficult and requires more effort, but it results in a finer flour. This concept was later applied to other areas, such as society and behavior, where going against the norm or resisting something may be more challenging but can lead to better results.

    Another possible origin of this idiom is from woodworking, where the grain of the wood refers to the direction of the fibers. Cutting against the grain is more difficult and can result in a rougher finish, but it can also create unique and visually interesting patterns. This idea can be applied to the idiom, suggesting that going against the grain may be more challenging, but it can also lead to something unique and different.

    Overall, the idiom "against the grain" originated from the physical process of going against the natural direction of growth or fibers, and has since evolved to encompass a broader meaning of going against the norm or facing challenges for a potentially better outcome.