Definition

1. Phrase / Verb phrase:
   • To go upstream: To move or travel in the opposite direction to the flow of a river or current of water.
   • To go against the current / tide: To act or move in opposition to the prevailing trend, opinion, or general direction.

Usage Examples

• Literal (Physical Movement):

  • Con thuyền nhỏ đang cố gắng ngược dòng. (The small boat is trying to go upstream.)
  • Cá hồi bơi ngược dòng để đẻ trứng. (Salmon swim upstream to spawn.)

• Figurative (Against Trends):

  • Công ty đó thành công nhờ biết ngược dòng thị trường. (That company succeeded by knowing how to go against the market current.)
  • Anh ấy có tư tưởng ngược dòng với số đông. (His ideas go against the current of popular opinion.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngược dòng lịch sử": to go back upstream through history; to trace back through historical events or timelines.

  • Để hiểu nguyên nhân, chúng ta phải ngược dòng lịch sử. (To understand the cause, we must trace back through history.)

• "ngược dòng thời gian": to go back in time; a metaphorical expression for reminiscing or revisiting the past.

  • Bài hát này khiến tôi ngược dòng thời gian. (This song makes me travel back in time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đi ngược dòng (v): to go upstream / to go against the flow. A more explicit verbal form.

  • Họ quyết định đi ngược dòng để tìm nguồn nước. (They decided to go upstream to find the water source.)

• Xuôi dòng (v): to go downstream; the direct antonym meaning to go with the flow of the current or trend.

Synonyms

• Upstream: In the direction opposite to the flow of a stream or river.
• Against the current: In opposition to the prevailing flow or direction.
• Counter-current: Moving or acting in an opposite direction to a prevailing trend.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ngược dòng nước mắt: Literally "upstream of tears"; a poetic expression describing a difficult, sorrowful journey or struggle against hardship.

  • Cuộc đời cô ấy là một hành trình ngược dòng nước mắt. (Her life has been a journey upstream of tears.)

• Ngược dòng đời: To go against the flow of life; to live or act contrary to common life paths or societal expectations.

  • Ông ấy chọn lối sống ngược dòng đời. (He chose a lifestyle that goes against the flow of life.)

1. Upstream