go, swim, etc. with/against the stream/tide
go against the stream
To act or behave in opposition or contrary to what is generally understood, assumed, practiced, or accepted. I really went against the stream 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 swim against the stream instead of making things a little easier on yourself!
go 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 went 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 others. I don't understand why you always have to go against the tide instead of making things a little easier on yourself!
go with the stream
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 going with the stream more often. I'm sorry, but I simply refuse to going along with the stream just because it's the easier option!
go with the tide
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 going with the tide more often. I'm sorry, but I simply refuse to go with the tide just because it's the easier option!
swim against the stream
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 stream 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 swim against the stream 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 stream
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 stream more often. I'm sorry, but I simply refuse to swim along with the stream just because it's the easier option!
swim with the tide
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 tide more often. I'm sorry, but I simply refuse to swim with the tide just because it's the easier option!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go with the tide
Fig. to move along with the effect of outside forces. I just go with the tide. I never fight fate. She just goes with the tide, never giving a thought to thinking for herself.
swim against the tide
and swim against the current1. 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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
swim with the tide
Go along with prevailing opinion or thought, as in Irene doesn't have a mind of her own; she just swims with the tide. In the late 1600s this idiom was also put as swim down the stream, a usage not much heard today. The present form was first recorded in 1712. For the antonym, see swim against the current.
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.
swim against the stream
orgo against the stream
If you swim against the stream or go against the stream, you do or say the opposite of what most other people are doing or saying. He was brave enough to be different and swim against the stream. If you live in a different culture, you can feel as if you are going against the stream.
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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
go (or swim) with (or against) the tide
act in accordance with (or against) the prevailing opinion or tendency.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
go, swim, etc. with/against the ˈstream/ˈtide
behave/not behave in the same way as most other people: He’s a fashion designer who’s always swum against the stream; his work is very original. ♢ Why do you always have to go against the tide?Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
swim against the stream
To move counter to a prevailing trend.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.