against the obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "against the obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or barriers that one is facing or trying to overcome. Example: "The team worked tirelessly against the obstacle of limited funding to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Iran may also try to hit Israel with its own ballistic missiles, though this would come up against the obstacle of Israel's missile defences, and could also spur a forthright American response.A regional conflagration cannot be ruled out.

The Economist

However, the idea, like many grand 1940s plans, ran out of steam as it came up against the obstacle of post-war austerity.

BBC

For example, one may pose a question: Does the strongest magnetic field on the +Esw hemisphere exist, because the magnetic flux tubes that move toward − Esw direction are strongly "packed up" against the obstacle on the +Esw hemisphere?

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The struggle is against the obstacles that present themselves.

The Guardian - Music

Nations need to commit the resources and political will to enforce the laws they have adopted to promote gender equity and act against the obstacles that still persist.Advances in technology open up unprecedented opportunities for progress.

The Economist

The story of their struggle against the obstacles, and each other, was first told in a 1981 film that struck a chord around the world, becoming a surprise box office hit and winning four Academy Awards, including best picture.

Independent

In 1865, he wrote, "It is the main duty of government, if it is not the sole duty of government, to provide means of protection for all its citizens in the pursuit of happiness against the obstacles, otherwise insurmountable, which the selfishness of individuals or combinations of individuals is liable to interpose to that pursuit".

The New Yorker

Since then they have been a regular fixture on the Finnish gig circuit with their songs which rail against the obstacles disabled people face and the pedicurists who cut their toenails.

BBC

Julie seemed particularly heartfelt in her interview with Frank about how he played so well against the obstacles and she seemed genuinely saddened and touched by what transpired.

Huffington Post

"It appears that being in charge of household decisions may bring a semblance of power to women's traditional role, to the point where women may have less desire to push against the obstacles to achieving additional power outside the home," said UC Berkeley psychologist Serena Chen, a co-author of the study.

Huffington Post

For example, fighting against the obstacles faced by HIV positive people in getting access to antiretroviral therapies, the Treatment Action Campaign founded in 1998 has been advocating for "a unified quality health care system which provides equal access to HIV prevention and treatment services for all people" [ 20].

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "against the obstacle", ensure that the obstacle is clearly defined and that the action being taken against it is appropriate to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "against the obstacle" when a more direct verb, such as 'overcoming' or 'surmounting', would be more concise and impactful. Using vivid verbs improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against the obstacle" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate opposition or confrontation with a barrier. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use in contexts involving resistance to challenges.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "against the obstacle" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the action of confronting a challenge or barrier. Ludwig AI validates its usability, though its occurrence is relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media and Science contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the obstacle and consider if more direct verbs might offer a more impactful alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing the impediment

Focuses on the act of directly confronting a specific hindrance.

contending with the barrier

Implies an ongoing struggle against a restrictive element.

grappling with the challenge

Suggests a more hands-on and active engagement with a difficult task.

combating the hurdle

Emphasizes the act of fighting against an obstacle to overcome it.

tackling the difficulty

Highlights a direct and practical approach to resolving a problem.

addressing the obstruction

Focuses on taking steps to remove or mitigate an impediment.

overcoming the adversity

Implies a successful effort to rise above unfavorable circumstances.

withstanding the opposition

Suggests resisting and enduring pressure from a contrary force.

navigating the complexity

Emphasizes skillful maneuvering through a complicated situation.

defying the limitation

Conveys a sense of boldly challenging and rejecting a restriction.

FAQs

How can I use "against the obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "against the obstacle" to describe actions taken to overcome a challenge. For example, "The team worked hard "facing the impediment" to complete the project on time."

What phrases are similar to "against the obstacle"?

Similar phrases include "contending with the barrier", "grappling with the challenge", or "combating the hurdle".

Is "against the obstacle" formal or informal?

The phrase "against the obstacle" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the surrounding language and overall tone.

What's the difference between "against the obstacle" and "overcoming the obstacle"?

"Against the obstacle" describes the action of confronting a challenge, while "overcoming the adversity" implies successful completion of that challenge.