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against the grain |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia | 0.03 sec. |
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*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. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| ? References in classic literature |
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It was not because I had a strong sense of the virtue of industry, but because Joe had a strong sense of the virtue of industry, that I worked with tolerable zeal against the grain. Changeable is she, and wayward; often have I seen her bite her lip, and pass the comb against the grain of her hair. It has gone very much against the grain, I can assure you, to have neglected you for so long a time. |
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