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Meaning & use

swim against the current

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˌswɪm əˈɡenst ðə ˈkʌrənt/
US/ˌswɪm əˈɡenst ðə ˈkɜːrənt/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiomfigurative

    To act in a way that opposes what most people do or believe.

    Grammar: Used as an intransitive verb phrase; you can add 'of' to mention the group, e.g. 'swim against the current of public opinion'.

    Patterns

    • swim against the current of something
    • swim against the current

    While everyone else invested in the same stocks, she swam against the current and chose a different path.

    He has always swum against the current, questioning the rules that others accept without thinking.

    It is not easy to swim against the current when your friends all expect you to agree.

  2. phraseidiom

    Literally to swim in the direction opposite to the flow of water.

    Grammar: Used literally for physical swimming; the opposite is 'swim with the current'.

    Patterns

    • swim against the current

    The river was so strong that swimming against the current exhausted him quickly.

    If you swim against the current, you will tire much faster than if you go with it.

Common combinations

swim against the current of opinion
The politician swam against the current of opinion and still won.
swim against the tide
She prefers to swim against the tide and make her own decisions.
go against the flow
Sometimes you have to go against the flow to be true to yourself.

Synonyms and how they differ

go against the grain
This means to be contrary to your natural inclination or to what is usual; it does not always suggest opposing other people.
buck the trend
More specific to statistics or fashion; it means to resist a general tendency.
swim against the tide
Almost the same meaning; 'tide' is often used for a stronger, more general opposing force.

Opposites

follow the crowdswim with the currentgo with the flow

Word family

current noun
A continuous flow of water, air, or electricity.
swimmer noun
A person who swims.

Commonly confused: swim against the current or swim against the tide? swim against the current or swim upstream?

swim against the current vs swim against the tide

Very similar, but 'tide' often suggests a stronger, more general opposing force. Both are correct idioms.

swim against the current vs swim upstream

Literally means to swim against the flow of a river; less common as a figurative expression.

Practice

What does it mean if someone 'swims against the current' in a discussion?

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