go against the grain

Cultural  

1. To go contrary to someone's natural disposition: “Having to get up this early in the morning really goes against my grain.” This refers to the fact that someone who rubs his hand against the grain on a piece of lumber will get splinters.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

go against the grain

"It's because these films are so beautiful, so unique and so strong that they sometimes go against the grain," said Binoche.

From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 2026

The leaders of the so-called men's conferences have been polygamists - seen by some as people who go against the grain, against societal pressures, to do what they want to do.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2024

But that would go against the grain for Thomas Bach, the IOC president whose fencing career was hurt by a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games after the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 24, 2023

But as long as food waste is a significant contributor to climate change, I will go against the grain, so to speak, to make an impact and hope my oddball ways catch on.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 20, 2023

And, Mr. Trewilyan, it do go against the grain with me when they're remembered and ain't on the square.

From He Knew He Was Right by Trollope, Anthony