fly in the face of
• be openly at variance with (what is usual or expected).
• "a need to fly in the face of convention"
Similar:
go against,
flout,
defy,
disobey,
refuse to obey,
rebel against,
thumb one's nose at,
disregard,
ignore,
set one's face against,
kick against,
break,
violate,
contravene,
breach,
infringe,
cock a snook at,
set at naught,
in the face of
• when confronted with.
• "her resolution in the face of the enemy"
