against the grain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This advice goes against the grain of American culture and commerce lately, but many “roadies” agree that it’s crucial to getting the best of Route 66.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
Earlier this month, Poland’s central bank went against the grain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
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 • Jan. 29, 2026
We should nurture them as an occasionally irresponsible group that can go against the grain of society and pronounce hard truths.
From Salon • Nov. 1, 2025
It goes some- how against the grain to learn that cost-benefit analyses can be done neatly on lakes, meadows, nesting gannets, even whole oceans.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
