run counter to (someone or something)

run counter to (someone or something)

To oppose, contravene, or work against someone or something. The former CEO's actions run counter to everything this company stands for. The governor's newest policy seems to be running counter to everything he promised during his election campaign.

See also: counter, run, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

run counter to something

to be in opposition to something; to run against something. (This has nothing to do with running.) Your proposal runs counter to what is required by the manager. His idea runs counter to good sense.

See also: counter, run, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

run counter to

Be in conflict with, oppose, as in Practice often runs counter to theory. This idiom, first recorded in 1843, uses counter in the sense of "in an opposite direction."

See also: counter, run, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

run counter to

be or develop in conflict with.

See also: counter, run, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017