Verb
swim upstream (third-person singular simple present swims upstream, present participle swimming upstream, simple past swam upstream, past participle swum upstream)
(idiomatic) To opt for a difficult course of action when a simpler or safer alternative is available; to make an unwise decision against sound advice.
I told my daughter to get her hair dyed at a salon, but she had to swim upstream and do it herself. Now it's a mess.
I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It's by the nature of his deep inner soul... we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream. Neil Armstrong
Remember, a dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim upstream. W. C. Fields
Our salmon sandwiches are so good you'll want to swim upstream to our kitchen and spawn. But please don't. Scott Adams
Some fish love to swim upstream. Some people love to overcome challenges. Amit Ray
Salmon. Salmon, salmon, salmon, salmon. I eat so much salmon at these weddings, twice a year I get this urge to swim upstream. David Nicholls