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    against the grain

    US

    ・

    UK

    A2
    phr.PhraseContrary to someone's natural inclinations or feelings; in opposition to what is normal or expected.
    He went against the grain and challenged the company's policy.
    phr.PhraseIn a direction that is perpendicular to the fibers of wood, making it difficult to work with.
    Sanding against the grain will damage the wood's surface.

    Video subtitles

    John McCain: Profile of a Maverick

    07:31John McCain: Profile of a Maverick
    • never afraid to go against the grain.

      never afraid to go against the grain.

    • Despite being a lifelong conservative, Arizona Senator John McCain was never afraid to go against the grain.

      Despite being a lifelong conservative, Arizona Senator John McCain was never afraid to go against the grain.

    B2

    13 Phrasal Verbs with GO: go for, go on, go along, go ahead...

    10:4213 Phrasal Verbs with GO: go for, go on, go along, go ahead...
    • Okay, we also have an expression, go against the grain, means work against what is considered normal.

      Okay, we also have an expression, go against the grain, means work against what is considered normal.

    • If you go against the grain, you're going to get a splinter.

      If you go against the grain, you're going to get a splinter.

    A2

    Why Unloved People Hate Themselves

    01:58Why Unloved People Hate Themselves
    • The only solution is to work against the grain of forgetting in order to perceive, for the first time, an awful possibility that one could never perceive as a child: that one has done nothing wrong at all.

      The only solution is to work against the grain of forgetting in order to perceive, for the first time, an awful possibility that one could never perceive as a child: that one has done nothing wrong at all.

    • The only solution is to work against the grain of forgetting in order to perceive, for the first time, an awful possibility that one could never perceive as a child, that one has done nothing wrong at all, that wrong was done to one.

      The only solution is to work against the grain of forgetting in order to perceive, for the first time, an awful possibility that one could never perceive as a child, that one has done nothing wrong at all, that wrong was done to one.

    B1

    How to make a Beef Stir Fry - Easy Cooking!

    02:35How to make a Beef Stir Fry - Easy Cooking!
    • beef against the grain. Now we're adding soy sauce to our purple bowl. Up next is some

      beef against the grain. Now we're adding soy sauce to our purple bowl. Up next is some

    • We're slicing our beef against the grain, then we're adding soy sauce to our purple bowl.

      We're slicing our beef against the grain, then we're adding soy sauce to our purple bowl.

    B1

    30 Days Without Shaving • LIFE/CHANGE

    03:5230 Days Without Shaving • LIFE/CHANGE
    • But I do think that it is empowering to try it and realize that even if you do do something that's kind of against the grain of beauty, you'll still feel beautiful.

      But I do think that it is empowering to try it and realize that even if you do do something that's kind of against the grain of beauty, you'll still feel beautiful.

    • that's kind of against the grain of beauty,

      that's kind of against the grain of beauty,

    A2

    We Are World Change

    02:53We Are World Change
    • to make it happen. It's not going to be easy. You need to go against the grain.

      to make it happen. It's not going to be easy. You need to go against the grain.

    • You need to go against the grain.

      You need to go against the grain.

    A2

    Chef Chloe Coscarelli: Here’s Her Recipe For Success

    17:02Chef Chloe Coscarelli: Here’s Her Recipe For Success
    • it’s about taking risks and going against the grain and doing whatever it takes to make

      it’s about taking risks and going against the grain and doing whatever it takes to make

    • it's about taking risks and going against the grain and doing whatever it takes to make your dreams come true.

      it's about taking risks and going against the grain and doing whatever it takes to make your dreams come true.

    B1

    5 Times Schools Tried To Enforce Gender Roles

    06:135 Times Schools Tried To Enforce Gender Roles
    • And they punished her for going slightly against the grain and doing something a little bit different,

      And they punished her for going slightly against the grain and doing something a little bit different,

    • going slightly against the grain and doing something a little bit different

      going slightly against the grain and doing something a little bit different

    B1

    Top 20 Best Decisions In Sports History

    17:16Top 20 Best Decisions In Sports History
    • When it came to a crucial play to win the NCAA championship in 1982, he decided to go against the grain and made sure that the ball ended up in the hands of the freshman Michael Jordan.

      When it came to a crucial play to win the NCAA championship in 1982, he decided to go against the grain and made sure that the ball ended up in the hands of the freshman Michael Jordan.

    • He decided to go against the grain and made sure that the ball ended up in the hands of the freshman Michael Jordan.

      He decided to go against the grain and made sure that the ball ended up in the hands of the freshman Michael Jordan.

    B1

    THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION - FULL AudioBook by Theron Q. Dumont - Self Help & Inspirational

    13:22THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION - FULL AudioBook by Theron Q. Dumont - Self Help & Inspirational
    • It goes against the grain.

      It goes against the grain.

    • It goes against the grain.

      It goes against the grain.

    B1