Phrase guide

go against the grain

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To defy convention or norms; to do something in a manner that is unusual or out of the ordinary.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • His method certainly goes against the grain, but it is unquestionably effective.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 顛覆傳統 /颠覆传统 (diānfù chuántǒng) — to defy convention
  • Finnish: olla epätavallinen — to defy convention
  • Polish: iść pod prąd — to defy convention
  • Portuguese: ir contra a corrente OR nadar contra a maré — to defy convention
  • Spanish: a contracorriente — to defy convention