strive
it's ill striving against the stream
proverb
1. It is futile to challenge that which cannot be changed. The school board has made their decision, and we just have to accept it. It's ill striving against the stream.
2. It is unwise, improper, futile to act or behave in opposition or contrary to what is generally understood, assumed, practiced, or accepted. I had some radical beliefs when I was in college, but as I've grown older, I've found that it's ill striving against the stream. My parents always said that it's ill striving against the stream, but I can't help it—I'm different, and I won't change myself just to please others.
See also: ill, stream, strive
strive after (something)
To put forth a great and tenacious effort to attain or accomplish something, especially that which is uncertain or intangible. I have spent my career as an artist striving after beauty and truth in their most ideal forms. You should spend less time striving after the praise and acceptance of others.
See also: after, strive
strive against (something)
To put forth a great and tenacious effort to prevent or oppose something. My great-grandfather gave his life striving against tyranny and oppression. The local community has been striving against the economic decline with a number of initiatives to keep people employed.
See also: strive
strive for (something)
To put forth a great and tenacious effort to attain or accomplish something. I could tell she was striving for that promotion by how hard she'd been working recently. Our organization has been striving for peace in this region for the last ten years. You should always strive for excellence, but striving for perfection is a fool's errand.
See also: strive
strive to (do something)
To put forth a great and tenacious effort to do or accomplish something. Our team has striven to create the most realistic computer-generated effects ever seen. We are striving to bring peace to the war-torn region.
See also: strive
strive toward (something)
To put forth a great and tenacious effort in order to achieve or approach some particular goal. You should always strive toward excellence, but striving toward perfection is a fool's errand. I'm striving toward a 4.0 this semester, but it's going to be tough.
See also: strive, toward
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
strive after something
to try very hard to obtain something. I am always striving after perfection. Ted was striving after a promotion and finally got it.
See also: after, strive
strive against something
to work against something. He worked hard, striving against failure at every turn. Things were difficult. I had to strive against quitting almost every day.
See also: strive
strive for something
to try to obtain or bring about something. I am striving for the best possible result. Mary strives for perfection in everything she does.
See also: strive
strive to do something
to try hard to do something. She strove very hard to do what she had set out to do. Please strive to do it as best you can.
See also: strive
strive toward something
to work toward a goal. DI always strive toward perfection. Mary strove toward doing her best at all times.
See also: strive, toward
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- teach a man to fish
- it takes a village
- village
- change horses in midstream, don't
- best-laid plans go astray, the
- the best-laid plans
- the best-laid plans go astray
- the best-laid plans of mice and men
- a reed before the wind lives on(, while mighty oaks do fall)
- all cats are gray after dark/at night