Society, Law & Politics - Social Norms & Conformity

Dive into English idioms regarding social norms and conformity, like "against the grain" and "play the game".

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a voice crying in the wilderness [phrase]

someone who expresses an opinion that others ignore or do not like

Ex: Despite facing opposition , she was a voice crying in the wilderness , tirelessly fighting for gender equality decades before it gained mainstream attention .

against the grain [phrase]

used to refer to something that is done in a way that is contrary to the usual customs, conventions, or the natural direction

Ex:

a law unto {oneself} [phrase]

someone who does not behave according to rules or expectations of society

Ex: They live their life as a law unto themselves , disregarding societal expectations .

beyond the pale [phrase]

(of a person's words or actions) not according to what is considered acceptable or polite

Ex: The language my father used was beyond the pale .

to [break] the mold [phrase]

to act so differently that it changes traditional or previous methods or approaches

Ex: They break the mold in the music industry with their experimental sound and genre-blending approach .

to [cross] (the|a) line [phrase]

to show a behavior that is unacceptable or improper

Ex: The comedian often crosses the line with their controversial jokes , causing outrage among certain audiences .

out of bounds [phrase]

beyond the limits of acceptable behavior

Ex: She went out of bounds when she cheated on the exam and got caught .

to [step|be] out of line [phrase]

to act in a way that is not in accordance with rules or socially accepted behavior

Ex: They frequently step out of line with their disrespectful comments and behavior towards their colleagues .

sacred cow [noun]

an idea, custom, or institution considered immune from criticism or questioning

Ex: The old policies became sacred cows , blocking any reform .

line in the sand [phrase]

a limit that makes clear what is considered right or accepted and what is not

Ex: She drew a line in the sand and ended the toxic relationship .

to [break] every rule in the book [phrase]

to behave in a manner that is in contrast to the standards of a particular place

Ex:

the done thing [phrase]

the socially accepted or expected behavior or action in a particular situation

Ex: It was not the done thing to arrive late for the meeting .

herd mentality [noun]

a person's natural tendency or urge to conform to the standards or the behavior of others in a particular group or society

Ex: During the financial crisis , herd mentality led investors to panic and sell off their stocks in a mass sell-off .

to [swim|go] against the (tide|stream) [phrase]

to do or think the exact opposite of what most people are doing or thinking

Ex: The political activist was known for his courage to swim against the tide and challenge the established norms .

to [play] the game [phrase]

to do things according to the rules, customs, or in the way that is expected of one in order to achieve profit or success

Ex: He plays the game by studying the market trends and adjusting his strategies accordingly to stay competitive .

to [go] rogue [phrase]

to start behaving in a manner that ignores the expectations of society or an authority

Ex: He frequently goes rogue in his fashion choices , opting for bold and unconventional outfits .

to [overstep] the (mark|line) [phrase]

to act in a way that goes beyond the limits of what is allowed or accepted

Ex: He realized he had overstepped the line with his prying questions and apologized .

Society, Law & Politics
According to Rules	Defying Norms	Justice	Injustice
Politics	Political Issues	Punishment	Society
Social Class	Social Norms & Conformity	Leaving or Escaping	Fraud & Swindle