run against

Idioms

Also, run up against or run into . Encounter something, especially a difficulty, unexpectedly. For example, We didn't know we'd run up against so much opposition , or He ran into trouble with his taxes . [Late 1300s]
Work against, as in Public sentiment ran against her . [Late 1300s]
Oppose for elective office, as in Susan decided to run against a very popular incumbent . This usage is a figurative application of running in a footrace. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Colbert told his viewers last week that not only had CBS bosses told him not to air an interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico, who’s seeking his party’s nomination to run against John Cornyn for the Senate, but Colbert also said network lawyers had told him not to talk about the fact that he had been given this “guidance.”

From Slate

He started the night by ending a near three-year and 10-match losing run against compatriot Gerwyn Price, before demolishing world number one Luke Littler 6-1 in the semi-finals.

From BBC

So many of Scotland's moments of magic in the winning run against England have heavily involved players who are not starting or not in the 23.

From BBC

District 4 incumbent Nick Melvoin will run against Ankur Patel, a teacher and outreach director, and Benjamin-Shalom “Bo” Rodriguez, an educator, artist and professor.

From Los Angeles Times

Bruno Fernandes' close-range finish in the 81st minute ended an eight-game winless run against Tottenham for United, who cemented their hold on fourth place in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023