against the current
against the current — collocation
1. moving the other way from water as it runs through a river, stream, or sea.
moving the other way from water as it runs through a river, stream, or sea.
Arjun swam against the current to reach the boy near the rocks.
swim against the current to rescue someone
The rescue boat crept against the current as rain darkened the river.
Hui paddled against the current for twenty minutes before the bridge came into view.
Leaves rushed downstream, but Eve kept rowing against the current toward shore.
During the drill, firefighters pulled their raft against the current with ropes.
- upstream
names the direction itself and often works as an adverb or adjective
- against the flow
broader and can describe water, traffic, air, or a crowd
- against the tide
can be literal too, but often sounds more dramatic or figurative
- with the current
moving in the same direction as the water
- downstream
toward the direction the river or stream is flowing
文法句型
swim against the current
row/paddle against the current
用法筆記
Usually follows verbs such as swim, row, paddle, or pull. This sense is literal and describes physical movement in water, unlike sense 2, which extends the image to opinions or choices.
常見錯誤
2. in a way that differs from what most people in a group think or feel.
in a way that differs from what most people in a group think or feel.
In a car-mad town, Mauricio's call for more bike lanes went against the current.
go against the current for a minority public view
The class wanted easy tests, but Trang argued against the current, asking for harder work.
Folake voted against the current after hearing how the new rule hurt cleaners.
At dinner, Eli stood against the current and defended his sister's unusual plan.
The columnist wrote against the current by praising quiet weekends over nonstop hustle.
- against the tide
very close in figurative meaning, often with a more dramatic tone
- against the grain
often stresses acting against custom or personal inclination
- out of step
broader and can describe a person who does not fit the group's direction
- with the flow
informal; going along with what others are doing or feeling
- in step with others
sharing the same direction, attitude, or pace as the group
文法句型
go against the current
stand/vote against the current
用法筆記
Often appears with verbs such as go, stand, vote, or argue when someone resists the mood or opinion of the surrounding group. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about real water rather than social pressure.