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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

swim upstream en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To opt for a difficult course of action when a simpler or safer alternative is available; to make an unwise decision against sound advice.
    • I told my daughter to get her hair dyed at a salon, but she had to swim upstream and do it herself. Now it's a mess.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
swims upstream Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
swum upstream Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
swam upstream Tense=Past lexicographic
swimming upstream Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Synonyms

do something the hard way