"Direct conflict" refers to a situation where two or more things or people are in direct opposition or disagreement with each other. It means they are openly and clearly challenging or conflicting with one another. Full definition
If your spending does not advance your priorities or goals, then you should not be spending in such a fashion, as it is in direct conflict with what you want to achieve. (cashusa.com)
But developers there, particularly in hot property markets, are often in direct conflict with local residents for scarce water, and some are tapping into precious groundwater. (nbr.com)