up against

In conflict with

Up against means in direct contact or confrontation with something.

Physically, it describes proximity: The desk was pushed up against the wall.

More often it describes facing a challenge or obstacle: We're up against a tight deadline, You don't know what you're up against.

To be up against it is to face serious difficulties or hardship.

confrontation

facing

Directed toward something

competing · rivaling · contending · clashing · fighting · struggling · matched · pitted · squared off · taking on

obstacle

facing

Directed toward something

  • deadlineTime limit for completion
  • wallVertical enclosing structure
  • barrierObstruction preventing passage

challenge · difficulty · odds · resistance · opposition · limitation · constraint · roadblock · hurdle · setback

physical

pressed

Pushed or smoothed flat

  • leaningTendency toward something
  • flushSame suit, five cards
  • flatLacking vertical variation

pushed · braced · pinned · resting · backed · squeezed · huddled · propped · wedged · plastered

Opposites
physical proximity

up againstaway from

Not in proximity to

far from · apart from · off of

confrontation/opposition

up againstin league with

siding with

difficulty/challenge

up againstcoasting

Moving without active effort

in the clear

Family

against, upon, update, upgrade, ups, upping, uptake, upraise

Familiarity
Top 20,000
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Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G