up against

Idioms and Phrases

Contending or confronted with, as in I'm up against a strong opponent in this election . This idiom is also put as up against it , which means “in serious difficulty, especially in desperate financial straits.” For example, When the collection agency called again, we knew we were up against it . [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

Then they came up against a police patrol on mountain bicycles, which again led to more shooting, without injuries.

From The Daily Beast

He is a true advocate for human rights who has paid a horrible price for standing up against the Assad dictatorship.

From The Daily Beast

We see Peck's character change and at the same time we see the awesome size of the forces he's up against.

From The Daily Beast

One is, of course, inevitably up against the problem of translation when speaking of names.

From The Daily Beast

We are up against a really tough operation that is sitting on millions of dollars.

From The Daily Beast

Hence it was that he found in Great Britain an implacable enemy ever stirring up against him European coalitions.

From Project Gutenberg

Seems as if K. was beginning to come up against those political forces which have ever been a British Commander's bane.

From Project Gutenberg

The drunk was in a dismal alley, leaning up against the wall of a tavern which he had evidently just left.

From Project Gutenberg

I have borne me up against affliction, till my o'ercharged bosom can contain no longer.

From Project Gutenberg

The utmost circumspection became necessary, and the young preacher had to bear up against much strife and opposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anti
• antithetical
• averse
• disputed
• hostile
• inimical
• opposing