1 C1 formal
to formally instruct a lawyer or barrister to appear against a person or side in a legal matter
"The firm was briefed against the company in the appeal."
inseparable
brief against
C1 formal inseparable transitive
to instruct a lawyer or advocate to argue against someone or something
In plain English
to tell a lawyer to act against the other side
What does "brief against" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to give a legal brief against someone
Actually means
to tell a lawyer to act against the other side
Usage tip
A specialized legal expression, chiefly British and fairly rare outside legal contexts.
Words that pair with "brief against"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
counsel lawyer barrister the defendant the claimant the case
How to conjugate "brief against"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
brief against
I/you/we/they
3rd person
briefs against
he/she/it
Past simple
briefed against
yesterday
Past participle
briefed against
have + pp
-ing form
briefing against
continuous
Hear "brief against" in the wild
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Other ways to say "brief against"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
assign counsel against instruct against retain against
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