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3. up against

up against

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*up against someone or something

in opposition to someone or something, as in a contest. (*Typically: be ~; come ~; go ~; run ~; team ~.) Let's team up against Paul and Tony in the footrace. We came up against a very strong team.

See also: up

*up against something

 

1. Fig. resting firmly against something. (*Typically: be ~; place something ~.) The car is up against the back of the garage! Back out a little!

2. Fig. in conflict with something; facing something as a barrier. (Fig. on {2}. *Typically: be ~; go ~.) l am up against some serious problems.

See also: up

up against somebody/something

in opposition to someone or something In the music competition, Tyler was up against some of the best singers in the country. Next week, our field hockey team will go up against the best team in this area.

See also: up

up against

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]

See also: up

up against

Confronted with; facing: up against a strong opponent.

See also: up