swimming upstream
Fighting the current
Swimming upstream describes moving against the current, as salmon do when returning to spawn.
Figuratively, it means working against prevailing trends, opinions, or circumstances: She's always swimming upstream with her unconventional ideas.
The phrase implies persistent effort in the face of resistance, sometimes futile, sometimes admirable.
- SisypheanEndlessly, pointlessly laborious
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- against all oddsDespite extreme improbability
spawning · migration · return journey · push · salmon · fish ladders · resilience · grit · uphill battle · resistance · against the grain · bucking the trend · tenacity · nonconformity · homeward · fortitude · defiance · contrarian
swimming upstreamgoing with the flow
Accepting situations without resistance
coasting · cruising · freewheeling · gliding · drifting
swimming upstreamgoing with the flow
Accepting situations without resistance
following the crowd · running with the pack · conforming · toeing the line · falling in line
stream, swim, swimming, swam, streams, streamer, streaming, swims, swimmer