go against the grain

ir a contracorriente

• Her decision to take a pay cut for a smaller startup went against the grain.
• His choice to quit a stable job and travel the world went against the grain.
• Implementing such unorthodox methods really goes against the grain in this industry.

This idiom is often used in more formal or reflective contexts, typically when someone is challenging established norms or societal expectations. It is common in both spoken and written language, especially in opinion pieces or academic discussions.

A common mistake is translating the Spanish 'ir en contra del grano' directly into English. This literal translation does not make sense in English and misunderstands the meaning of the idiom.

• have your cake and eat it
  querer la chancha y los veinte, todo a la vez
• burn (your) bridges
  quemar las naves, cerrar puertas
• preaching to the choir
  predicar a los conversos
• the best-laid plans of mice and men
  el hombre propone y Dios dispone