up against

Idioms  

1. 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

This is the second time in a week that Doncic has faced the mandatory suspension after getting his 16th technical foul, but he avoided the fate after the NBA rescinded a technical he picked up against Orlando on March 21.

From Los Angeles Times

So do we now have a better idea of how the Three Lions might shape up against higher-quality opposition in the summer?

From BBC

Now, they are coming up against a price point that may further sour the mood.

From MarketWatch

"I couldn't believe it, my beloved Hull City were up against Georgie Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. That's like having Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe in the same team," Kelly recalled on the BBC's Sporting Witness programme.

From BBC

Here is how the rupture stacks up against past shocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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