bring up against

B2 neutral separable transitive

In simple words

To make someone deal with a hard problem or a tough person.

Literal meaning: To physically move something until it is touching or pressed against another surface — extended to mean confronting an obstacle.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

rare

To cause someone to face or have to deal with a challenging situation, obstacle, or opponent.

"The lawsuit brought the small company up against regulations it had never encountered before."

Grammar: separable

2 B1 neutral

rare

To place something in direct physical contact or opposition with another object.

"He brought the ladder up against the wall of the building."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Less common than 'come up against'. Often used in the passive. Usually followed by a noun indicating a challenge, wall, or adversary.

reality obstacle problem opposition wall difficulty

Base

bring up against

I/you/we/they

3rd person

brings up against

he/she/it

Past simple

brought up against

yesterday

Past participle

brought up against

have + pp

-ing form

bringing up against

continuous

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