up against it

up a·gainst it

U u

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [uhp uh-genst, uh-geynst it]
- /ʌp əˈgɛnst, əˈgeɪnst ɪt/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [uhp uh-genst, uh-geynst it]
- /ʌp əˈgɛnst, əˈgeɪnst ɪt/

Definitions of up against it words

adverb up against it to, toward, or in a more elevated position: to climb up to the top of a ladder. 1
adverb up against it to or in an erect position: to stand up. 1
adverb up against it out of bed: to get up. 1
adverb up against it above the horizon: The moon came up. 1
adverb up against it to or at any point that is considered higher. 1
adverb up against it to or at a source, origin, center, or the like: to follow a stream up to its source. 1

See all 94 definitions of up against it

Information block about the term

Origin of up against it

First appearance:

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; Middle English up(pe) (adv.), Old English up(p) to a higher position, uppe in a higher position; cognate with Old Frisian up, Old Saxon up, Middle Dutch up, op, Old Norse upp; akin to Old High German ūf (> German auf), Gothic iup

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Up against it

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Up against it

up against it popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

up against it usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for up against it

adj up against it

back to the wall — (Idiomatic) (Can we clean up(+) this sense?) A very difficult situation with no beneficial options available for action.
dead duck — If you describe someone or something as a dead duck, you are emphasizing that you think they have absolutely no chance of succeeding.
goner — a person or thing that is dead, lost, or past recovery.
in the soup — a liquid food made by boiling or simmering meat, fish, or vegetables with various added ingredients.

adjective up against it

desponding — to be depressed by loss of hope, confidence, or courage.

All 9 Synonyms of up against it