operate against (someone or something)

operate against (someone or something)

To work to the detriment or disadvantage of someone or something; to produce a negative impact or effect on someone or something. Contrary to the way it was billed, the new tax law operates against most middle- and lower-class workers. All of the boss's decisions have been operating against our project lately.

See also: operate

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

operate against someone or something

to work against someone or something; to have a negative effect on someone or something. All of this operates against our idea affixing the garage up as a family room. The new vacation policy operates against my plan to take all of July off.

See also: operate

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.