up against it

up against (something)

Having or being likely to face serious problems, stresses, or difficulties. Each year, more and more families are up against debt going into the holiday season. Sorry I haven't been in touch recently, I've just really been up against it in work the last few weeks. This team is undefeated, so we're up against our biggest challenge this season.

See also: up

up against it

Having or likely to face serious problems, stresses, or difficulties. Each year, more and more families find themselves up against it going into the holiday season. Sorry I haven't been in touch recently, I've just really been up against it at work the last few weeks.

See also: up

up against it

INFORMAL

If you are up against it, you have a very difficult problem or situation to deal with. Playing into the wind in the second half, the team were really up against it. You have to help me — I'm really up against it at the moment.

See also: up

up against it

facing some serious but unspecified difficulty. informal

See also: up

up aˈgainst it

(informal) in a difficult situation: Two of the staff are sick and the order has to be ready for delivery by this evening, so we’re really up against it.

See also: up

up against it

mod. having a personal crisis; having a financial crisis. This is my bad season. I’m really up against it.

See also: up