against
preposition /əˈɡenst/, /əˈɡeɪnst/
/əˈɡenst/, /əˈɡeɪnst/
For the special uses of against in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example count against somebody is in the phrasal verb section at count.Idioms - opposing or disagreeing with somebody/something
- the fight against terrorism
- We're playing against the league champions next week.
- We were rowing against the current.
- That's against the law.
- She was forced to marry against her will.
- Are you for or against the death penalty?
- She is against seeing (= does not want to see) him.
- I'd advise you against doing that.
- not to the advantage or favour of somebody/something
- The evidence is against him.
- Her age is against her.
- close to, touching or hitting somebody/something
- Put the piano there, against the wall.
- The rain beat against the windows.
- in order to prevent something from happening or to reduce the damage caused by something
- an injection against rabies
- They took precautions against fire.
- Are we insured against theft?
- He gritted his teeth against the pain.
- with something in the background, as a contrast
- His red clothes stood out clearly against the snow.
- (figurative) The love story unfolds against a background of civil war.
- used when you are comparing two things
- You must weigh the benefits against the cost.
- Check your receipts against the statement.
- What's the rate of exchange against the dollar?
Word OriginMiddle English: from again + -s (adverbial genitive) + -t probably by association with superlatives (as in amongst).
Idioms
as against something
- in contrast with something
- They got 27 per cent of the vote as against 32 per cent at the last election.
the cards/odds are stacked against you
- you are unlikely to succeed because the conditions are not good for youTopics Difficulty and failurec2