against the grain
idiom
: different from what is normal or usual
It takes courage to go against the grain and stand up for what you believe in.
Examples of against the grain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Follow Osaka’s example of being willing to say no when companies make unreasonable demands that run against the grain of your mental health.
—
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Joyce, though, is going against the grain — swayed by the fact that Bates is the CBS show's lone nomination — and going with The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
Steak is all about texture, and the secret to tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat comes down to understanding how to slice it properly—against the grain.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
One drive later, on third down, Mahomes somehow managed to flick a pass as his body fell sideways, against the grain of his momentum.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for against the grain
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Joyce, though, is going against the grain — swayed by the fact that Bates is the CBS show's lone nomination — and going with The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
Steak is all about texture, and the secret to tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat comes down to understanding how to slice it properly—against the grain.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
One drive later, on third down, Mahomes somehow managed to flick a pass as his body fell sideways, against the grain of his momentum.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for against the grain
Cite this Entry
“Against the grain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/against%20the%20grain. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share