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
Slice pork chops: Thinly slice pork against the grain, and drizzle with maple sauce.
—
Adam Dolge, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
Declining interest in those careers across the board may well mean that those opting to go against the grain of more climate-conscious peers are increasingly right-wing.
—Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023
Slice steak against the grain into thin slices, and divide on top of each.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2023
Alloy has taken a bold step against the grain of the industry.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
Slice the brisket against the grain, and top with sauce before serving.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 July 2023
The class, like the one before it, was a volunteer effort that struggled in many ways against the grain of prison culture and the systems and priorities of prison administration.
—Brian Seibert, New York Times, 23 June 2023
The key is going against the grain, doing the opposite of what human nature tells you to do.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 15 June 2023
Always cut skirt cuts thinly against the grain for buttery, tender results.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2023
See More
Adam Dolge, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
Declining interest in those careers across the board may well mean that those opting to go against the grain of more climate-conscious peers are increasingly right-wing.
—Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023
Slice steak against the grain into thin slices, and divide on top of each.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2023
Alloy has taken a bold step against the grain of the industry.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
Slice the brisket against the grain, and top with sauce before serving.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 July 2023
The class, like the one before it, was a volunteer effort that struggled in many ways against the grain of prison culture and the systems and priorities of prison administration.
—Brian Seibert, New York Times, 23 June 2023
The key is going against the grain, doing the opposite of what human nature tells you to do.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 15 June 2023
Always cut skirt cuts thinly against the grain for buttery, tender results.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'against the grain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 3 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on against the grain
Nglish: Translation of against the grain for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of against the grain for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share