is up against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is up against" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone or something is facing a challenge, obstacle, or opposition. Example: "The team is up against tough competition this season, but they are determined to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stall understands what he is up against.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Saiq is up against it.

The Economist

Haywood is up against some daunting statistics.

The New Yorker

He knows what he is up against.

The Economist

Yellen is up against it.

The Guardian - Business

Look at what she is up against".

The Guardian - Opinion

"He is up against a double problem.

The New York Times

Usually Tonight is up against EastEnders.

The Guardian

Conservation there is up against organised military.

The Guardian

She is up against Karlha Magliocco of Venezuela.

The New York Times

He is up against a powerful P.R. machine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is up against" to clearly convey that a person or entity is encountering significant opposition or challenges. It's effective in emphasizing the competitive or difficult nature of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "is up against" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language may be preferred. Instead, opt for terms like "faces significant challenges" or "contends with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is up against" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating opposition or confrontation. It is commonly used to describe a situation where someone or something faces significant challenges or competition, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is up against" is a prevalent phrase, particularly in news and media, used to denote facing opposition or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While versatile, it's essential to consider the level of formality required in your writing, opting for alternatives like "faces" or "contends with" in more formal settings. With its consistent application across reliable sources, "is up against" effectively conveys the difficulties and competition encountered in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is facing

Focuses on the act of confronting a challenge directly.

is contending with

Emphasizes a struggle or effort to overcome difficulties.

is grappling with

Highlights the difficulty and complexity of dealing with a problem.

is challenged by

Indicates that someone or something is posing a test or difficulty.

is in opposition to

Suggests a direct conflict or disagreement.

is struggling against

Stresses the effort being made against something difficult.

is battling

Implies a vigorous fight against an opponent or obstacle.

is pitted against

Highlights the act of being set in competition with someone or something.

is confronting

Similar to facing, but can imply a more active or deliberate approach.

is dealing with

Focuses on the process of managing or handling a difficult situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "is up against" to indicate that someone or something is facing challenges or opposition. For example, "The company "is up against" tough competition in the market."

What are some alternatives to "is up against"?

Alternatives include "is facing", "is contending with", or "is grappling with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is up against" or "faces against"?

"Is up against" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. "Faces against" is not standard English.

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

"Is up against" often implies a more competitive or challenging situation than ""is facing"", which is a more general term for encountering something.