fly in the face of

Friendly

Explanation of "Fly in the Face of"

Meaning: The phrase "fly in the face of" means to go against something, especially something that is widely accepted or expected. It suggests that the action or belief directly opposes or contradicts established norms, rules, or agreements.

Usage Instructions

• Context: Use this phrase when you want to describe a situation where someone is acting contrary to what is expected or accepted.
• Form: It is usually used in the present or past tense as a verb phrase.

Examples

1. Simple Example:

   • "His decision to leave the company flies in the face of our agreement to work together for another year."

2. More Complex Example:

   • "The new policy flies in the face of previous regulations that aimed to protect employee rights."

Advanced Usage

In more advanced contexts, you might use this phrase when discussing politics, social issues, or scientific theories, where actions or beliefs strongly contradict established principles or evidence.

Word Variants

• Fly: The verb "fly" can have different meanings, such as to move through the air or to operate an aircraft.
• Face: The noun "face" can refer to the front of a head or the surface of something.

Different Meanings

• The phrase itself does not have different meanings, but the individual words "fly" and "face" can have various meanings in other contexts.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for "fly in the face of" include: - Contradict - Oppose - Defy - Disregard - Challenge

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• "Go against the grain": This means to do something that is not typical or expected.
• "Bite the hand that feeds you": This means to act against someone who is helping you, similar to going against expectations.

Conclusion

"Fly in the face of" is a useful phrase when you want to express that someone is acting in a way that contradicts what is generally accepted or agreed upon.

Academic

Verb

1. go against
   • This action flies in the face of the agreement

Synonyms

• fly in the teeth of