fly in the teeth of

Friendly

Word: Fly in the teeth of

Meaning: The phrase "fly in the teeth of" means to go against something, to challenge it, or to act in a way that is contrary to what is expected or accepted. It often implies a bold or defiant action.

Usage Instructions:

• This phrase is used as a verb phrase.
• It's typically used in more formal or serious contexts.
• It often follows a subject and verb, such as "He flies in the teeth of..."

Example:

• "His decision to build the factory in that location flies in the teeth of the environmental regulations."

Advanced Usage:

• You can use this phrase when discussing actions that are rebellious or defy authority or common sense.
• It can be used in discussions about politics, social issues, or personal decisions.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of this phrase, but similar phrases include "go against" or "defy."

Different Meaning:

• While "fly in the teeth of" specifically means to oppose or contradict, it is related to the idea of facing something boldly.

Synonyms:

• Go against
• Defy
• Oppose
• Challenge

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Bite the hand that feeds you" - This means to harm someone who is helping you, which has a similar feeling of going against expectations.
• "Stand up to" - This means to confront someone or something, often in a challenging or brave way.

Summary:

When you hear or use the phrase "fly in the teeth of," think about doing something that challenges the norm or goes against established rules or agreements.

Academic

Verb

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

Synonyms

• fly in the face of