going against the flow

USAGE SUMMARY

"going against the flow" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone taking a different approach or going against the popular opinion in a given situation. For example, "even though the majority of the team wanted to take the traditional approach, John decided to go against the flow and try something new."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Talk about going against the flow.

The New York Times

Tarantino and Rodriguez aren't going against the flow; they're trying to get ahead of the flow.

The New Yorker

Mitchell hurried to the bus stop, going against the flow of pedestrians.

The New Yorker

Ms. Bozovic said the black sheep represented something that could be admired by "going against the flow".

The New York Times

In his 90s, he still managed 25 minutes.Sir John Templeton spent his life going against the flow.

The Economist

"She was always a rebel, going against the flow, but she always had a very big heart," said Carl Wendt, a childhood friend of Ms. Mundheim's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Here are his tips: GO AGAINST THE FLOW With Brazil's strong economy, a new middle class has emerged with access to many modern comforts, including travel.

The New York Times

The trip goes against the flow in the warmest months.

The New York Times - Travel

GETTING WET Learning to Go Against the Flow WHITEWATER paddling is not something one should do alone.

The New York Times - Travel

McLaren are likely to go against the flow and start the season with the controversial new KERS energy recovery system.

Independent

"I tried to hold out and go against the flow," Cal Nannes, a junior at Davidson College, in North Carolina, said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going against the flow" to describe situations where an individual or entity is deliberately acting in opposition to prevailing trends or norms. This often implies courage or independent thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "going against the flow" to describe simply accepting circumstances passively. The phrase implies active resistance or a conscious decision to deviate from the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going against the flow" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the act of opposing or deviating from the prevailing trend or majority opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going against the flow" is a commonly used and grammatically correct gerund phrase that describes the act of opposing prevailing trends or norms. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its register is generally neutral to informal, more formal alternatives may be suitable for professional settings. As evidenced by the provided examples, this phrase appears frequently in news and media contexts, denoting a conscious decision to deviate from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going against the grain

Similar to "going against the flow", but can also refer to acting contrary to one's own nature.

swimming against the tide

Implies more effort and resistance than simply going against the current.

swimming upstream

Similar to "swimming against the tide", indicating a difficult struggle.

bucking the trend

Specifically refers to acting contrary to a general pattern or fashion.

defying convention

Highlights the act of challenging established norms and expectations.

taking the road less traveled

Suggests choosing a path that is different and less common.

challenging the status quo

Emphasizes the act of questioning and potentially overturning existing power structures or norms.

dissenting from the majority

Focuses on expressing disagreement with a prevailing opinion.

refusing to conform

Highlights the act of actively resisting social pressures to fit in.

being a contrarian

Characterizes someone who habitually opposes popular opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "going against the flow" in a sentence?

You can use "going against the flow" to describe someone making an unconventional decision, like "Even though everyone else was investing in tech stocks, she decided to "go against the flow" and invest in renewable energy".

What's a more formal way to say "going against the flow"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "defying convention" or "challenging the status quo" instead of "going against the flow".

Is "going against the flow" always a positive thing?

Not necessarily. While it can indicate courage and independent thinking, "going against the flow" can also be seen as stubborn or misguided, depending on the context and the outcome.

What's the difference between "going against the flow" and "swimming against the tide"?

"Going against the flow" suggests a deviation from the norm, while "swimming against the tide" implies a more arduous and difficult struggle against a powerful force.