# go against the grain

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/go-against-the-grain
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- It goes against the grain to work on weekends.
- He prefers to go against the grain by choosing a career that his family does not approve of.
- Although the industry standard demanded strict conformity, the artist chose to go against the grain, ultimately redefining the aesthetic expectations of his peers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.