against the current

In contradiction to what is popular or expected. It was difficult to go against the current, but, in the end, I was able to get the team to agree that my proposal is a good idea. I really swam against the current when I was in college with some radical opinions, but as I've grown older I have found myself falling more in line with other people's way of thinking. I don't understand why you always have to go against the current instead of making things a little easier on yourself!

pass current

1. obsolete Of a coin, to have a particular monetary worth. The coin passed current for 21 shillings until the end of the 17th century.

2. dated To be considered genuine or authentic. What passes current as orthodox religious belief these days would be considered quite liberal—downright blasphemous, even—200 years ago.

swim against the current

To go against or disagree with a prevailing or popularly held opinion or perspective; to act or behave contrary to the majority of others. I really swam against the current when I was in college, but as I've grown older I've found myself falling more in line with other people's way of thinking. I don't understand why you always have to swim against the current instead of making things a little easier on yourself!

swim against the tide

To go against or disagree with a prevailing or popularly held opinion or perspective; to act or behave contrary to the majority of others. I really swam against the tide when I was in college with some radical opinions, but as I've grown older I've found myself falling more in line with other people's way of thinking. I don't understand why you always have to swim against the tide instead of making things a little easier on yourself!

swim with the current

To go along or agree with the prevailing or popularly held opinion or perspective; to act or behave the same way as the majority of others. When I was in college, I used to have a lot of radical opinions and beliefs, but as I've grown older, I find myself swimming with the current more often. I'm sorry, but I simply refuse to swim along with the current just because it's the easier option!

swim against the tide

and swim against the current

1. Lit. to swim in a direction opposite to the flow of the water. She became exhausted, swimming against the tide. If you really want strenuous exercise, go out in the stream and swim against the current.

2. Fig. to do something that is in opposition to the general movement of things. Why can't you cooperate? Do you always have to swim against the tide? You always seem to waste your energy swimming against the current.

swim against the current

Also, swim against the stream or tide . Go against prevailing opinion or thought, as in I'm voting for him even if that is swimming against the current. Shakespeare used a similar metaphor in 2 Henry IV (5:2): "You must now speak Sir John Falstaff fair, which swims against your stream." For the antonym, see swim with the tide.

swim against the tide

If you swim against the tide, you do or say the opposite of what most other people are doing or saying. Sinclair seems to be swimming against the tide by not retiring at 60. Thank you for having the courage to swim against the tide and stand up for the qualities that built this great country. Note: You can also say that someone swims with the tide to mean that they act in the same way as most other people. Many great cathedrals are attempting to swim with the tide and bring in tourists to replace the worshippers who no longer come.

pass current

be generally accepted as true or genuine. British

Pass current originally referred to the currency of a genuine coin, as opposed to a counterfeit one.