gegen den Strom schwimmen

English translation: go against the flow

07:00 Mar 6, 2013
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
German term or phrase: gegen den Strom schwimmen
"Sie sind fähig und gewillt in schwierigen Situation auch mal gegen den Strom zu schwimmen".
Aus einer Stellenbeschreibung fuer einen Projektmanager.
Vielen Dank !
Daniel Arnold (X)
Australia
Local time: 14:59
English translation:go against the flow
Explanation:
Another option commonly used for this expression in UK English...
Selected response from:

Phoebe Indetzki
Local time: 14:59
Grading comment
Thank you !
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +7Swimming against the tide
bsangha (X)
4 +6go against the flow
Phoebe Indetzki
4swim against the current
Charles Milton Ling
3to make unpopular decisions
Michael Martin, MA
3make up your own mind
Anne Schulz
3leave/disregard the well-trodden paths
Günther Toussaint


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
Swimming against the tide


Explanation:
In context: even when swimming against the tide

bsangha (X)
Local time: 14:59
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in HindiHindi
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you - against the tide is a perfect match, but I am not totally convinced about the swimming. Would you really say that in German ? It seems more of a common saying which maybe has a better than literal translation ?


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nicola Wood: Absolutely!
6 mins

agree  Zareh Darakjian Ph.D.: Sure!
10 mins

agree  Sanni Kruger (X): That's the one!
31 mins

agree  Ramey Rieger (X): PERFECT
48 mins

agree  franglish
53 mins

agree  freekfluweel: OR: stream/current
1 hr

neutral  David Moore (X): I'm not at all convinced (and clearly the asker isn't either) that this works in an HR environment - this looks like a 'sits vac.' wording
2 hrs

neutral  Amanda A: The 'even when' is incorrect; translation too literal for context
3 hrs

agree  philgoddard: This can also mean "fight a losing battle", but I think its meaning is clear here.
7 hrs
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35 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
go against the flow


Explanation:
Another option commonly used for this expression in UK English...

Phoebe Indetzki
Local time: 14:59
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you !

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  freekfluweel: Well, Asker is from down-under, UK-EN should prevail.
1 hr

agree  Amanda A: Makes for a better, more contextual translation / transcreation
2 hrs

agree  Thayenga: :)
4 hrs

agree  Heike Holthaus: sounds better in this context
4 hrs

agree  Horst Huber (X): Both "flow" and "current" are current on the East Coast.
13 hrs

agree  Lancashireman: From Hartlepool to Lowestoft
16 hrs
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
to make unpopular decisions


Explanation:
"You are capable and willling to make unpopular decisions when the situation requires it.."

or:

- willing to go against the crowd/defy the crowd
- willing to go against the grain



    Reference: http://pef194.org/Labor%20Management%20Training%20Manual.pdf
Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 09:59
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 63
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
swim against the current


Explanation:
A common expression, methinks.

Charles Milton Ling
Local time: 14:59
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
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8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
make up your own mind


Explanation:
Vorschlag für eine etwas vorsichtigere Formulierung, denn manche der hier vorgeschlagenen Wendungen klingen ein bisschen nach "auf Konfrontationskurs gehen" und ich glaube nicht, dass das bei einem Projektmanager gewünscht ist. Eher im Sinne von "sich nicht beirren lassen", wie David Moore in der Diskussion vorgeschlagen hat.

Anne Schulz
Germany
Local time: 14:59
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 8
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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
leave/disregard the well-trodden paths


Explanation:
leave/disregard the well-trodden paths...


Günther Toussaint
Local time: 14:59
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
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