run against
Idioms-
Also, run up against or run into . Encounter something, especially a difficulty, unexpectedly. For example, We didn't know we'd run up against so much opposition , or He ran into trouble with his taxes . [Late 1300s]
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Work against, as in Public sentiment ran against her . [Late 1300s]
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Oppose for elective office, as in Susan decided to run against a very popular incumbent . This usage is a figurative application of running in a footrace. [First half of 1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bass swiftly secured enough votes, but counting continued to be tallied to find who she would run against to lead the nation's second most populous city.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
That raises the possibility that the two former political allies might at some point run against each other for the top job.
From Barron's • May 24, 2026
That includes a 14-game winless run against Manchester City and seven consecutive defeats in domestic cup finals.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
Rahman, a nonprofit director, acknowledged it’s challenging to run against someone like Waters, who is nationally known and has voter loyalty.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
“So I will not have you run against a grown man. Where is our little Hugi?”
From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
