against the grain

Idioms  

1. Opposed to one's inclination or preference, as in We followed the new supervisor's advice, though it went against the grain. This metaphor refers to the natural direction of the fibers in a piece of wood, called its grain; when sawed obliquely, or “against the grain,” the wood will tend to splinter. [c. 1600] For a synonym, see rub the wrong way.

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Example Sentences

Many of our best picks resulted from a willingness to go against the grain with out-of-favor stocks—and impeccable timing.

From Barron's

Caros and his faculty are engaged in what they regard as a countercultural project, working against the grain of a progressive, utilitarian culture that they believe offers too little to children and demands too little of them.

From The Wall Street Journal

If a player goes against the grain, they might be out.

From BBC

Against the grain of much modern scholarship, Mr. Harpham maintains that it is “possible to describe the intellectual origins of American slavery almost without reference to skin color.”

From The Wall Street Journal

We should nurture them as an occasionally irresponsible group that can go against the grain of society and pronounce hard truths.

From Salon

Related Words

• afraid
• averse
• compelled
• evasive
• forced
• loath
• reluctant
• resistant
• unenthusiastic