come up against

Idioms  

1. Encounter, especially an obstacle or problem. For example, I've never come up against anything I can't handle, or Dealing with Malcolm is like coming up against a brick wall.

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Example Sentences

But they come up against a Patriots team who know how to win.

From Barron's

These activists have, perhaps inadvertently, come up against some very well-connected people.

From Slate

That is when they come up against European powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, who have the resources to match the Premier League's best.

From Barron's

"When I found out I was up against Giant, obviously I was extremely scared but it's always nice to come up against the best," said Billings.

From BBC

Should the remainder of the draw go with seedings, 38-year-old Serb Djokovic could then come up against Sinner in the semi-finals and world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

From BBC

Related Words

• accost
• defy
• encounter
• meet
• oppose
• repel
• resist