Going Against the Grain of Opinion

Going against the grain means doing something contrary to the majority's opinion or expectation. It is not an easy thing to do, but it is necessary to make a difference in the world. But how do you do it? This article explores the meaning and effectiveness of the phrase.


Common idioms
The phrase "going against the grain" is an expression that means doing things against what others do or what's expected of you. It originally originated in Shakespeare's play Coriolanus. This idiom refers to doing something against the norm, or against one's instincts and expectations.

The phrase is often used as a pun, but it is not always intended to be funny. It can also be used as an expression to describe a person's natural disposition or attitude. An example is when someone rubs against the grain of lumber; this usually results in splinters. Another example of going against the grain is buying stocks against the grain.

Meaning
Go against the grain is a phrase that is used to describe an action that goes against what is generally accepted by society. It can refer to doing something that is controversial or even against the wishes of a person. The term dates back to Shakespeare and has been used in different ways for centuries.

Its usage today is most commonly to refer to something that is not in line with the expectations of society. Shakespeare's play Coriolanus popularized the phrase, which means to do the opposite of what is normal or expected.

Examples
Going against the grain is a common phrase used to describe behavior that's contrary to what people are expected to do. The idiom originated in Shakespeare's play Coriolanus. The expression can be applied to almost anything that goes against the grain. Examples include choosing to make a certain lifestyle choice, making a bold move, or refusing to conform to traditional social mores.

The expression goes against the natural disposition of a person, as rubbing against the grain of a piece of wood results in splinters. It's no different than the "should" versus "shall" debate. To test your knowledge of these terms, take the quiz on "should" versus "shall" from The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Effectiveness
Going against the grain of opinion is a powerful strategy. This strategy has been used for centuries. Shakespeare wrote plays that challenged the conventional wisdom. People admire people who think differently than they do. It is also a great way to make your message more memorable. However, it is vital that you know when to use this strategy.

Is it easy to go against the grain of opinion?
The phrase "go against the grain" refers to doing something that is outside of the majority, or what is considered normal or expected. It has been used for centuries to describe doing things that others do not agree with. Shakespeare popularised this term in the play Coriolanus.

The phrase comes from the carpenter's trade, in which it is much easier to saw wood with the grain of the tree than against it. However, it is not the same as going against the tide, or against one's own principles.