0
Yoshihiko Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

Grain of ?

Hi, could anyone please explain below sentence?
What does "grain of " mean?

Both FDR and Reagan worked with the grain of economic change: FDR’s policies were suited to an age of big employers and big unions; and Reagan’s chimed with an age of flexibility and enterprise.

I suppose "grain of "means a bit, a little, small amount of, but can't convince the meaning.
I know expressions such as grain of salt, grain of sand, but in that context I can't imagine precise meaning

Thanks!.
  

Top answer

It is a metaphor related to woodworking. In a piece of wood the fibers are aligned in a particular direction. It is easier to saw, plane or sand the wood if you work in the same direction as the fibers run.

— Blue Jay

  • It is a metaphor related to woodworking.
  • In a piece of wood the fibers are aligned in a particular direction.
  • It is easier to saw, plane or sand the wood if you work in the same direction as the fibers run.
  • This is "with the grain".
  • If you cut, sand or plane at right angles to the fibers it is harder to produce smooth, splinter free work, and this is called working "against the grain".
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
It is a metaphor related to woodworking. In a piece of wood the fibers are aligned in a particular direction. It is easier to saw, plane or sand the wood if you work in the same direction as the fibers run. This is "with the grain". If you cut, sand or plane at right angles to the fibers it is harder to produce smooth, splinter free work, and this is called working "against the grain".
The po
0
0
Thanks!
I search "with the grain " and " against the grain."
Now these expressions and the sentence are crystal clear to me.
0

Related Questions