go up against
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To challenge someone.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
May 27, 2007, Jamie Doward, The Observer.Jail head rejects shared cells plan.
The Director-General of the Prison Service is ready to go up against ministers by resisting any government plan to force more prisoners to share cells.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “go up against” mean?
To challenge someone.
Is “go up against” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.