compete against (someone or something)
To work or put forth effort against someone or something in an attempt to do something successfully. I'm probably competing against a hundred people for this job. Instead of competing against the loud music out here, let's go inside and talk. I refuse to compete against a bunch of other girls for a guy's affections. If he likes someone more than me, then I need to move on.
compete for (someone or something)
To work or put forth effort against someone or something in an attempt to gain someone or something else. I refuse to compete for a guy's affections—if he likes someone more than me, then I need to move on. I'm feeling discouraged now that I know just how many people are competing for this job. At this point, how many teams are competing for the last Wild Card spot?
compete in (something)
To participate in a competition. Who is competing in this heat? What do we win if we compete in the talent show? Is there a prize or something? A: "When was the last time the team competed in the playoffs?" B: "Good question—it's been a while since they were any good."
compete with (someone or something)
To work or put forth effort against someone or something. How many people am I competing with for this job? Instead of competing with the loud music out here, let's go inside and talk. I refuse to compete with a bunch of other girls for a guy's affections. If he likes someone more than me, then I need to move on.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
compete against someone
to contend against someone; to play against someone in a game or contest. I don't see how I can compete against all of them. She refused to compete against her own brothers.
compete against something
to struggle against something; to seem to be in a contest with something. It was hard to be heard. I was competing against the noise of construction. Please stop talking. I do not wish to compete against the audience when I lecture.
compete for someone or something
to contend against or contest [someone] for someone or something; to struggle for someone or something [against a competitor]. They are competing for a lovely prize. Ed and Roger are competing for Alice's attention.
compete in something
to enter into a competition. I do not want to compete in that contest. Ann looked forward to competing in the race.
compete with someone or something
to contend against someone, something, or a group; to play in a competition against someone, something, or a group. I can't compete with all this noise. We always compete closely with our crosstown rivals, Adams High School.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.