go against the grain

US /ɡoʊ əˈɡɛnst ðə ɡreɪn/
UK /ɡoʊ əˈɡɛnst ðə ɡreɪn/
"go against the grain" picture
1.

tegen de borst stuiten, tegen de haren instrijken

to be contrary to one's natural inclination or to generally accepted norms or practices

:
It really goes against the grain for him to ask for help, as he's always been so independent.
Het gaat hem echt tegen de borst om hulp te vragen, aangezien hij altijd zo onafhankelijk is geweest.
Her decision to pursue art went against the grain of her family's expectations for her to become a doctor.
Haar beslissing om kunst na te streven ging in tegen de verwachtingen van haar familie dat ze dokter zou worden.