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.

But I am going to go against the grain here.

From BBC • Apr. 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

Like their immortal counterparts, these two thoroughly enjoy their work, and they especially delight in knowing their vampires go against the grain of the type of bloody romance 20- and 30-something viewers were raised with.

From Salon • May 26, 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

Their wives could, by no persuasion, be induced to speak English, so that, however it might go against the grain, the husbands were compelled to learn Irish and speak it habitually as best they might.

From Irish Race in the Past and the Present by Thebaud, Augustus J.