Idioms

go up against

go up against (someone or something)

1. To face a particular competitor, trial, or test. I can't believe I have to go up against the valedictorian for this award—obviously, she's going to win! Because we squeaked into the last playoff spot, we had to go up against the best team in our conference. Don't worry, because of the weight classes, you would only go up against opponents similar in size to you.
2. To oppose or come into conflict with someone or something. The lawsuit is going up against a tradition dating back nearly 200 years. They are just a small band of rebels going up against an entire empire. There's no way they can win! I don't want to go up against the CEO, but I have to get him to stop mocking me in meetings somehow!
See also: go, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go up against someone

to compete with someone; to face someone in competition. She is going up against Rodney in the spelling bee. The champ went up against the challenger in a match last Friday.
See also: go, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
See also:
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