against

Từ điển tiếng Anh - Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

against UK [əˈgen t st], UK [-ˈgeɪn t st] US [-ˈgentst] preposition
 
OPPOSING

1. <E > in opposition to
• She spoke against the decision to close the college.
• Fifty people voted against the new proposal.
• I'm very much against the idea that it is the woman's job to bring up the child.
• Germany are playing against Brazil in the cup final tonight.
• She's always rebelled against authority.
• She sold the house even though it was against his wishes.
• They called a demonstration to protest against proposed job cuts.
• Are you for or against my proposal?
• Sanctions against the country should be lifted.
• Stricter controls will help in the fight against inflation.
• Criminal charges will be brought against the driver.
• They decided not to take legal action against him.
• They were up against a powerful pressure group.
• We came up against a lot of problems in the course of building our extension.
• The chances/odds against you winning such a competition are enormous.
• It's against the law (= illegal) to leave children under a certain age alone in the house.
• It's against my beliefs/principles to be nice to someone I dislike just because they're in a senior position.
• Against all probability (= although it was extremely unlikely) we found ourselves in the same hotel.
• I wouldn't dare say anything against him (= criticize him) to his mother!
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Opposing and against
2. have sth against sb
If you have something against someone, you dislike them for a reason
• I've nothing against him - I just don't have much in common with him.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Opposing and against
3. count/go/work against
If something counts/goes/works against you, it gives you a disadvantage
• Lack of experience will generally count against you in an interview.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Preventing and impeding ↑Limiting and restricting
 
• The case against her was circumstantial.
• The court issued a contempt citation against city council members who refused to comply with a court order.
• She brought a civil action against her former employer.
• His doctor advised him against smoking.
• I'd strongly advise against making a sudden decision.
 
TOUCHING

4. <E > next to and touching or being supported by (something)
• Why don't we put the bed against the wall?
• He loved the feel of her soft hair against his skin.
• The rain beat against her face as she struggled through the wind.
• The police officer had him up against the wall, both arms behind his back.
• She leant against the door.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Next to and beside
5. <I > in front of or compared to
• Paintings look best against a simple white wall.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Comparing and contrasting
 
• The dog cocked its leg against a tree.
• I've got a bruise where I hit my leg against the corner of the table.
• The room was packed and we were crammed against the door.
• We could hear waves crashing on/against the shore.
• She sank back against the cushions.
 
OPPOSITE DIRECTION
6. <A > in the opposite direction to
• The last part of the course was hard because I was running against the wind.
• Commuting is not so bad when you are travelling against the traffic.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Through, across, opposite and against
 
PROTECTION

7. <A > as a protection or defence from the bad effects of
• We've insured the car against fire, theft and accident.
• The police have to arm themselves against attack.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Protection and protectors ↑Environmental issues
 
• The circuitry in this fighter aircraft has been protected against strong magnetic fields.
• As a student you're cocooned against the real world.
• The Chancellor's countermeasures against inflation have been completely ineffective.
• Does your travel insurance cover you against the loss or theft of cash?
• White blood cells help defend the body against infection.
Idioms: against the clock ▪ against your better judgment ▪ as against ▪ up against a brick wall ▪ up against it