kick against the pricks
The phrase "kick against the pricks" originates from ancient agricultural practices where animals would harm themselves by resisting the goad used to steer them.
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Definition
C1General
(idiomatic)To resist or fight against authority or a difficult situation, often resulting in more trouble or pain for oneself.
Example
- By refusing to follow the company's new policies, he's just kicking against the pricks and making his job harder.
C1General
(idiomatic)To struggle against something inevitable or unchangeable, causing unnecessary suffering.
Example
- Trying to change the unchangeable is like kicking against the pricks; it only brings frustration.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "kick against the pricks":
kick overkick itkick over the traceskick someone's asskick into touchkick at the candrop kickkick aroundkick backput the boot inkick start