are up against

USAGE SUMMARY

"are up against" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means facing a challenging or difficult situation or opponent. It can be used in various contexts, such as in sports, politics, or personal struggles. Example: Our team is up against the defending champions in the final match, but we are determined to give our best performance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Obviously we are up against Sandoz.

The New York Times

The Democrats are up against it.

The New Yorker

"This is what we are up against.

The New York Times

Opening batsmen are up against opening bowlers.

Independent

Australia are up against this.

The Guardian - Sport

Chic are up against Arctic Monkeys (BBC2).

The Guardian - Music

That's the battle we are up against.

The Guardian

Consider what scientists are up against.

The New York Times - Science

"That's the quality we are up against.

The Guardian - Sport

We are up against borrowing limits.

The New York Times

"That's what we are up against now".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are up against" to clearly indicate that someone or something is facing a significant challenge or opponent. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are up against" for minor inconveniences. This phrase suggests a serious challenge, not just a slight difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are up against" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is facing a challenge or opponent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used. The examples show it in various contexts, from sports to politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are up against" is a very common prepositional verb phrase used to describe facing a challenge or opponent. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. To express similar ideas, consider using alternatives such as "are facing" or "are contending with". Be mindful of the intensity of the situation when using this phrase, as it implies a significant challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are facing

Focuses on the act of confronting something directly, reducing the sense of opposition implied by "against".

are confronting

Highlights a direct and often forceful encounter, shifting the emphasis from passive opposition to active engagement.

are contending with

Emphasizes a struggle or competition, suggesting a more prolonged effort to overcome the challenge.

are battling

Implies a fierce and intense struggle, highlighting the combative nature of the situation.

are struggling against

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in opposing something, adding a sense of hardship.

are dealing with

Focuses on the management or handling of a challenging situation, downplaying the adversarial aspect.

are coping with

Stresses the ability to manage or endure a difficult situation, suggesting resilience and adaptation.

are in opposition to

Formally states a position of disagreement or resistance, emphasizing a contrasting viewpoint.

are challenging

Highlights the act of questioning or disputing something, shifting the focus to the act of defiance.

are rivaling

Implies competition or rivalry between two entities, suggesting a direct contest for superiority.

FAQs

How can I use "are up against" in a sentence?

Use "are up against" to indicate that someone or something is facing a difficult challenge or strong opposition. For example, "The small business is "are up against" major corporations in the market."

What does "are up against" mean?

The phrase "are up against" means to be confronted with a difficult situation, obstacle, or opponent. It implies a challenge that needs to be overcome.

What's the difference between "are up against" and "are facing"?

"Are facing" is a more general term for encountering something, while "are up against" implies a more adversarial or challenging encounter. "Are facing" can describe a simple situation, while "are up against" suggests a struggle against something difficult. You can use alternatives like "are facing".

What are some alternatives to "are up against"?

Some alternatives to "are up against" include "are contending with", "are battling", or "are challenging", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.