go against the grain
気質に反する、慣習に逆らう
解説 Definition
自分の性格や信条にしっくりこないこと、または世間の慣習や多数派のやり方に逆らうことを表す慣用句。個人の気持ちや本能に反する場合にも、一般的な流れや通念に反する場合にも使え、違和感や抵抗感を伴うことが多い。
This idiom means to be different from what feels natural, normal, or accepted by others. It is often used when an action, opinion, or way of life goes against a person's character or common social habits. It can describe both personal discomfort and social disagreement.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず against を見て「流れに逆らう」方向感をつかむと覚えやすい表現です。grain はここでは木目・織り目のような“筋”。手で木目に逆らってなでるとザラついて引っかかる、その感覚を英語のまま思い浮かべると、「性に合わない」「慣習に逆らう」が定着します。単なる disagree より、内心の抵抗感やしっくりこなさが強いのが特徴。go with the flow の反対側に置くと整理しやすく、go against the grain for me / It goes against the grain to ～ の形で覚えると使いやすいです。
"Against" already gives the idea of going the wrong way, and "grain" can mean the natural lines in wood. If you rub wood against the grain, it feels rough and uncomfortable. That physical feeling helps you remember something that does not fit your nature or the usual way.
例文
Following orders without questioning them goes against the grain for someone as independent as her.
疑問を持たずに命令に従うことは、彼女のように自立心の強い人には気質に反する。
It goes against the grain to fire loyal employees, but the company had no other choice.
忠実な従業員を解雇することは心情に反するが、会社にはほかに選択肢がなかった。
His unconventional teaching methods go against the grain of traditional education.
彼の型破りな教え方は、伝統的な教育の慣習に逆らっている。
go against the grain の類義語・関連語
対義語
go against the grain の語源・成り立ち Etymology
grain は古フランス語 grain を経てラテン語 granum「粒・種」に由来し、構成は go + against + the + grain。木目や織り目の向きに逆らうと引っかかる感覚から『性に合わない』となり、granary や granule を知ると grain の芯が『粒の並び』だと見えてくる。
The key word here is "grain," from Old French "grain," which came from Latin "granum," meaning "seed" or "small particle." In English, "grain" also came to mean the natural direction of wood or cloth fibers. From the uncomfortable feeling of moving against that direction, the phrase developed the sense of acting against one's nature or feelings; related words include "granary" and "granule."
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