against the grain — meaning & examples

Language: en

Meanings:

  • 1.

    Global Englishneutral
    • Contrary to a person's natural inclination, habits, or expectations; causing discomfort because it conflicts with what is usual or preferred.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Changing his long-held opinions felt against the grain, but he knew it was necessary.

      Cambiar sus opiniones arraigadas iba en contra de su naturaleza, pero sabía que era necesario.

    • She found it against the grain to lie, even when it seemed harmless.

      Le resultaba contrario a sus principios mentir, incluso cuando parecía inofensivo.

    • Going to bed early is against the grain for Jack, who’s used to staying up late.

      Acostarse temprano va en contra de la naturaleza de Jack, que está acostumbrado a trasnochar.

  • 2.

    Global Englishtechnicalneutral
    • Moving, cutting, or working in a direction opposite to the natural alignment of fibers or striations in a material (for example, wood or hair), often producing a rough surface or more difficult result.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The carpenter warned against cutting the wood against the grain to avoid splintering.

      El carpintero advirtió no cortar la madera en contra de la veta para evitar astillarse.

    • Shaving against the grain often causes razor burn and irritation.

      Afeitarse en contra del sentido del vello suele causar irritación y quemaduras.

    • Painting against the grain of the fabric created an uneven texture on the canvas.

      Pintar en contra de la dirección de la tela creó una textura irregular en el lienzo.

    • Cutting hair against the grain can make styling more difficult and the hair prone to frizz.

      Cortar el cabello en contra de la dirección natural puede dificultar el peinado y provocar frizz.

Examples:

  • EN: It's all unspeakably sad. Deceptions horribly against the grain... When I deceived him, I would deceive God himself, I was so miserable!
    ES: Todo esto es muy triste no me gusta nada mentir pero...
  • EN: It's all unspeakably sad. Deceptions horribly against the grain... When I deceived him, I would deceive God himself, I was so miserable!
    ES: Todo esto es muy triste no me gusta nada mentir pero...
  • EN: I may be blind but I can see through you,Clandon For generations you've been tin gods around here and it goes against the grain when a mongrel like myself marches in and steal your thunder
    ES: Perdí a mi único hijo, pero no cometo el error de pensar que es más importante que la muerte de Wenneby, el hijo de su jardinero.
  • EN: It goes against the grain to bargain with criminals.
    ES: Va en contra de toda lógica negociar con criminales.
  • EN: You've always gone against the grain.
    ES: Tú siempre has ido contra corriente.
  • EN: I mean, it wouldn't go against the grain with them.
    ES: Me refiero a los que no tienen remordimientos.
  • EN: Though I'm bound to say it went against the grain to overcook my pastry.
    ES: Aunque le diré que va en contra de mis principios recocer mis bollos.
  • EN: I've been putting against the grain.
    ES: La he estado golpeando contra el hilo.
  • EN: Something must have gone against the grain. Won't you sit down.
    ES: Algo debe haberse puesto contra la fibra. ¿Quiere sentarse?
  • EN: Goes against the grain.
    ES: -No va conmigo.
  • EN: Does it go against the grain?
    ES: ¿Va en contra de tu costumbre?
  • EN: It's only wearing when it's something you don't want to do, when it goes against the grain.
    ES: Sólo se harta uno de lo que se hace a la fuerza. - De lo que no resulta espontáneo.
  • EN: Of course, you'll realize all this goes against the grain, don't you? I mean, all this sort of thing.
    ES: Claro que, espero que se den cuenta que es muy molesto para mí.
  • EN: Every female liberty is going to be achieved the way every liberty is achieved, which is, it's going to be achieved against the grain, against the paradox of the fact that there's much in human life which forbids liberty.
    ES: Toda libertad de la mujer se logrará de la misma manera que toda libertad, es decir, a contrapelo, contra la paradoja del hecho... de que hay mucho en la vida humana que prohíbe la libertad.
  • EN: You were cutting at least 30 degrees against the grain.
    ES: Lo cortabas casi a 30 grados del grano.
  • EN: I'm a lawyer. It goes against the grain.
    ES: Va en contra de mis principios.

Related Idioms

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Sourced from Wiktionary