PhrasesHub

Go against the grain

    Definitions

      • oppose societal norms or expectations
        To act, speak or behave in a manner that is not in line with the accepted or expected standards of behavior in a particular society or group. This can refer to both individual actions, such as going against the grain by choosing a different career path than what is expected by your family, or larger societal movements that challenge traditional norms and values.

      • resist change or challenge
        To resist or oppose change or challenge, often due to a strong personal belief or conviction. This can refer to both internal struggles, such as going against the grain of your own thoughts and feelings, as well as external challenges, such as standing up for a cause that goes against the mainstream beliefs of society.

      • do something difficult or unconventional
        To do something that is difficult or unconventional, often in pursuit of personal growth or progress. This can refer to pushing oneself out of their comfort zone, taking on a new challenge, or breaking away from traditional thinking in order to find new solutions or perspectives.

    Examples of Go against the grain

    • Sarah decided to go against the grain and pursue a career in the arts, despite her family's wishes for her to become a doctor.

      This idiom means to go against the common or traditional way of doing something. In this example, Sarah chose to follow her own path and pursue a career in the arts, even though it went against her family's expectations.

    • The company's new marketing strategy went against the grain of their usual approach, but it proved to be a huge success.

      This example shows how an organization can choose to go against the traditional way of doing things in order to achieve better results. The company's new marketing strategy may have been different from what they were used to, but it ultimately led to success.

    • John's rebellious nature often led him to go against the grain, causing him to clash with authority figures.

      This example shows how someone's personality traits can lead them to go against the common way of doing things. John's rebellious nature caused him to go against authority figures, which sometimes resulted in conflict.

    • The new technology that the company introduced went against the grain of their competitors' methods, giving them a competitive edge.

      This example shows how going against the traditional way of doing things can give a company a competitive advantage. By introducing new technology that was different from their competitors, the company was able to stand out and gain a competitive edge.

    • The artist's unique style went against the grain of the traditional art world, but it earned her critical acclaim and a devoted following.

      This example shows how going against the traditional way of doing things can lead to recognition and success in a particular field. The artist's unique style may have gone against the traditional art world, but it ultimately earned her critical acclaim and a devoted following.


    Conclusion

    Overall, the idiom "go against the grain" can be used to describe actions or behaviors that defy societal norms or expectations, resist change or challenge, or involve doing something difficult or unconventional. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from personal struggles to larger societal movements, and carries a sense of defiance and uniqueness.

    Origin of "Go against the grain"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the use of "grain" to refer to the direction of the fibers in wood. In the woodworking industry, it is common knowledge that cutting against the grain is more difficult and can result in a weaker and less desirable end product. This concept was then applied to human behavior, with "going against the grain" meaning to act or behave in a way that is not in line with the natural or expected order of things.

    The phrase was first recorded in the 17th century and has since become a popular idiom in the English language. Its use has spread to various fields, including literature, politics, and business, and it is often used to describe individuals or groups who challenge the status quo or go against societal norms. The origin of the idiom has also influenced its use, with the idea of "cutting against the grain" carrying connotations of difficulty and resistance.