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.

"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

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

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

Now the airy superiority which this man assumed, did go against the grain of Mr Harding; and yet he did not know how to resent it.

From Barchester Towers by Trollope, Anthony