against the grain
*against the grain
1. Lit. across the alignment of the fibers of a piece of wood. (*Typically: be ~; cut ~; go ~; run ~; saw ~.)
You sawed it wrong. You sawed against the grain when you should have cut with grain.
You went against the grain and made a mess of your sanding.
2. Fig. running counter to one's feelings or ideas. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.)
The idea of my actually taking something that is not mine goes against the grain.
热门单词
- accustomed to so or sth
- ace so out
- advertise for so or sth
- a fine how do you do
- a gracious plenty
- a horse of another color
- a (little) nip in the air
- (all) dressed up
- (all) joking aside
- all my eye (and Betty Martin)
- allow sth for sth
- a marvel to behold
- amble
- American as apple pie
- an itch for sth
- ankle
- a pipe dream
- a place to call one's own
- appear at some time
- appear to be rooted to the spot
- a prelude to sth
