go 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.
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
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 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
Some may decide to harmonize with the group, whereas others “might make the deliberate choice to go against the grain, others might also make the choice to not even participate in that,” said Rajasekar.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2022
“And, thanking you a thousand times,” replied Seth, “but I guess and calculate that at his time of life, civilisation would kind o’ go against the grain of old Seth.”
From The Cruise of the Snowbird A Story of Arctic Adventure by Stables, Gordon
