(entered for 12.12.05; writer's apology: technical difficulties interfered with posting earlier.)

Meaning: oppose popular thought or trend. Sources.
Rewrite 1: swim out as the tiden2 moves in
Rewrite 2: move against the flow
Rewrite 3: blowis2 against the gale
Rewrite 4: cuttv1 across the grainn6

Comment: I thought this one would be easier to recast, but it was something like climbing up a limp rope.

More reading about clichés:
What I found when I googled “clichés”:
• Flickr: Monterey Aquarium Clichés: “…pictures from the [Monterey] aquarium should only be posted if they have a very high cliché potential.”