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]

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Example Sentences

Levy: With every character, at the beginning of this show, I’m thinking, how can we exacerbate the dire circumstances that crime would rub up against?

From Los Angeles Times

They will be up against the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.

From BBC

Experts warn, however, that the proposal runs up against geological and economic realities.

From Barron's

Management made the forecast as gains in running shoes, soccer gear and a rebound in North America run up against an array of other problems.

From MarketWatch

But after losing 1-0 to Japan, the world's 18th-ranked side, at Wembley in England's last match before Tuchel names his World Cup squad, questions about whether the Three Lions struggle when they come up against elite nations are being asked.

From BBC

Related Words

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