against the grain

Trump is known for defying tradition and going against the grain, but the recent appointments suggest a larger agenda, some political observers say.

Where medical experts find mountains of studies and years of data to be conclusive, Kennedy goes zooming against the grain, for little apparent reason.

Then there’s one race that goes against the grain: Baltimore is voting on mayoral control of the police force, a progressive policy priority nine years after Freddie Gray was killed in the back of a police van.

How do you think we can reconcile Rhiannon's killing with the undeniably real emotion of female rage, which is often presented as something deviant, or that goes against the grain of how we often see women depicted as sort of quiet and controlled?

Sir Keir added that the decision to release prisoners early was difficult and "goes against the grain of everything I've ever done", referring to his former role as chief prosecutor.