swim against the tide

The phrase "swim against the tide" means to go against the prevailing opinions, attitudes, or trends; to resist popular opinion or established norms. It refers to the metaphorical act of swimming against the current or flow, where the majority of people or circumstances are heading in a certain direction, but one chooses to go in the opposite direction. It signifies challenging the status quo, holding different beliefs or principles, and taking a contrary approach to what is commonly accepted.