How to Use against the grain in a Sentence
against the grain
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Slice the steak against the grain.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
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Slice the pork against the grain and serve with a pour of the pan sauce.
—Ali Slagle, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2023
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Cut it against the grain in one-inch strips about a quarter inch thick.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Oct. 2022
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Cut steak in thirds with the grain, then slice each piece thinly against the grain.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
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The ones who are not afraid to go against the grain and paint outside of the lines.
—Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 4 Mar. 2023
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That does not make this postseason against the grain.
—Sam McDowell 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
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Slice the thighs and breasts against the grain for the most tender texture.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024
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Slice the brisket against the grain, and top with sauce before serving.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 July 2023
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Slice steak against the grain into thin slices, and divide on top of each.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2023
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With a sharp knife, slice on a slight bias against the grain, about 1/8-inch thick.
—David Tanis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2024
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Slice steak against the grain and arrange on top of greens; drizzle sauce over.
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 July 2026
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And that goes a little bit against the grain of what we’re told to look for in fiction.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
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Finish it off by slicing against the grain and serving with sauce.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2024
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Thinly slice the meat against the grain and place on a serving platter.
—Lucinda Scala Quinn, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
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Go against the grain and embrace your dark side in the brightest season there is.
—Madison Rexroat, ELLE, 8 Apr. 2023
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Their offensive style goes against the grain of today’s game.
—Creg Stephenson | [email protected], al, 7 Oct. 2022
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Slice the meat against the grain and transfer it to a platter and serve with the garlic.
—Janelle Davis, CNN, 15 Apr. 2023
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Cutting against the grain helps cut through the fibers, making for a more tender bite.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 June 2024
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Resistance takes many forms, and these artists worked bravely against the grain of their times.
—Christopher Benfey, The New York Review of Books, 20 Apr. 2023
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So take note of these life lessons, and don’t be afraid to go against the grain in pursuit of something new.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
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Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
—Emily Weinstein, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024
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To read in this way is to go against the grain, to feel oneself at odds, alienated, alone.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 June 2023
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Step 4 On a large cutting board, thinly slice the veal against the grain.
—Tony Ferrari, Saveur, 15 May 2024
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Alloy has taken a bold step against the grain of the industry.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
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Poehling took a pass from Killorn, sped down the left side, cut right and shot against the grain to the left.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
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Slice the pork against the grain into thick pieces and serve drizzled with braising liquid on top.
—Beth Dooley, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
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And investors in the company were going against the grain of that thinking.
—Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 15 Feb. 2022
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Finally, slice the steak against the grain to make sure every bite is delicious.
—Pati Jinich, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024
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Metal sells the image of going against the grain, of being against the mainstream.
—Andy O'Connor, SPIN, 13 Jan. 2023
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Your accomplishments can show you the wisdom of going against the grain.
—Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2021
Some of 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.
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