up against
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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]
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
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Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Words nearby up against
unzipped, UO, U. of S. Afr., up, up a creek, up against, upalong, up-anchor, up and about, up and at 'em, up-and-comer
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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