match up against

USAGE SUMMARY

"match up against" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to compare or compete against something or someone. You can use it in various contexts, such as sports, business, or personal relationships. Example: The team is confident that they can match up against their opponents in the championship game. In this example, "match up against" is used to indicate the team's belief in their ability to compete against their opponents and potentially win.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Comparison

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

How do these services match up against the competition?

The Guardian - Money

"Sometimes you match up against teams better than others," Holik said.

The New York Times - Sports

Fowler birdies 5 to level his match up against the older Molinari.

The Guardian - Sport

But the more important comparison is how these ratings match up against those of teams in different conferences.

The New York Times

"It will be fun to watch the greatest player ever match up against the N.B.A.'s new generation of stars".

The New York Times - Sports

Our team has gotten better, and I look forward to see how we match up against him".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Now it seems to be a glaring eye sore as they match up against the better teams in the league.

Huffington Post

If not, then a match-up against San Diego's soft secondary might just do the job.

The Guardian - Sport

Quarter-final A last-eight match-up against England seems likely.

The Guardian - Sport

They have a potentially promising match-up against Washington's soft pass defense.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a sensible way to sell a match-up against an anonymous journeyman.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "match up against" when you want to emphasize a direct comparison or competition between two or more entities. It's especially effective when highlighting strengths, weaknesses, or suitability in a particular context.

Common error

Avoid overusing "match up against" when simpler verbs like "compete", "compare", or "face" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "match up against" is as a phrasal verb followed by a preposition, functioning to express a comparison or competition. It indicates how well one entity fares when compared or pitted against another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "match up against" is a versatile phrasal verb and preposition combination used to express comparison or competition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, followed by sports and more formal business contexts. When writing, consider whether simpler alternatives like "compare to" or "compete with" might be more appropriate to avoid unnecessary verbosity. Remember that while grammatically sound, overuse can detract from clarity. The phrase serves to evaluate and assess how one entity stands in relation to another, as exemplified in the provided examples. Alternative constructions can add nuance, but "match up against" remains a direct and frequently used way to convey this comparative relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stack up against

Similar to "match up against", but with a slightly more informal tone.

compete with

Focuses on direct competition, omitting the comparative aspect.

be comparable to

Focuses on the degree to which things can be compared.

compare to

Emphasizes the act of comparing, rather than direct opposition or suitability.

bear comparison with

More formal and emphasizes the possibility of comparison.

measure up to

Highlights the aspect of meeting a certain standard or expectation.

be on a par with

Indicates equality or similarity in quality or status.

contend with

Suggests a struggle or effort in dealing with something or someone.

pit against

Implies a deliberate setting of one against another.

hold a candle to

An idiomatic expression implying inferiority compared to something else.

FAQs

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

Use "match up against" to describe a comparison or competition, such as "How do these services "compare to" the competition?" or "Our team is excited to "compete with" them".

What are some alternatives to "match up against"?

Alternatives include "compete with", "compare to", "measure up to", "stack up against" or "contend with". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "match up against"?

Yes, "match up against" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb. It's used to describe a comparison or competition between two or more things.

What's the difference between "match up against" and ""compete with""?

"Match up against" implies a comparison of qualities or abilities, whereas ""compete with"" focuses more on the act of vying for something. While similar, "match up against" often suggests a broader assessment rather than just a contest.