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.
Ahead of an election next March, they remain bitterly divided and could yet name a candidate to run against him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Ed Miliband became foreign minister, Wes Streeting -- who abandoned plans to run against Burnham for the Labour leadership -- was named defence minister, and left-wing figurehead Angela Rayner returned to government.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Sustained draws of around 2 million barrels a day would run against Beijing’s long-term goal of maintaining strategic and commercial reserves, Goldman analysts said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
The serial election candidate, who dresses as a bin, has said he will run against Farage in the Clacton by-election after Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats all said they would not field candidates.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
He offered to run against the colt for a small purse or simply for a winner’s cup.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
