against
gb/əɡˈɛnst/ us/əɡˈɛnst/
A2
English
~ 200
ellen, -nak/-nek, -hoz/-hez/-höz, vmi hátterében, előtt
A2
1
ellen
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] against [someone/something]
They voted against the new law.
Az új törvény ellen szavaztak.
She is strongly against smoking in public places.
Határozottan ellenzi a nyilvános helyeken való dohányzást.
The team played against their biggest rivals.
Many people are against the idea of raising taxes.
He stood against the proposal.
Learner examples
I am against that plan.
Ellene vagyok annak a tervnek.
She is against smoking.
Ellenzi a dohányzást.
They play against another team.
We are against the new rules.
He is against the idea.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'against' with 'for' when expressing opinions. Remember: 'against' means you do not support something.
Meaning
in opposition to
Collocations
fight against
|protest against
|vote against
|stand against
|compete against
Synonyms
opposed to (More formal and often used in written contexts.)
Antonyms
in favor of (Expresses support rather than opposition.)
Themes
conflict
|opinions
|law
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Used to say that someone does not agree with or wants to stop something.
Used to show that someone or something is opposed to another person, group, or idea.
A2
2
-nak/-nek
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] against [surface/object]
She leaned against the wall.
A falnak dőlt.
The ladder was placed against the house.
A létrát a ház falának támasztották.
He pressed his hands against the glass.
The bike was propped against the fence.
Learner examples
I put the chair against the wall.
A széket a falhoz toltam.
He stands against the door.
Az ajtónak dőlve áll.
The car is against the tree.
She leans against the window.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'against' with 'on' or 'next to'. 'Against' usually means touching for support or pressure.
Meaning
touching or leaning on
Collocations
lean against
|rest against
|press against
Synonyms
on ('On' can mean in contact, but 'against' emphasizes side contact or support.)
Antonyms
away from (Indicates distance rather than contact.)
Themes
spatial
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
Used to say something is touching or leaning on another thing.
Used to indicate that something is in contact with another surface or object for support or rest.
B1
3
előtt
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] against [background/reference]
The dark trees stood out sharply against the snow.
A sötét fák élesen kirajzolódtak a fehér hó hátterében.
Her red dress looked beautiful against the blue sky.
Vörös ruhája gyönyörűen mutatott a kék ég hátterében.
The flag fluttered against the backdrop of mountains.
Learner examples
The white boat is easy to see against the dark water.
A fehér csónak jól látszik a sötét víz hátterében.
The moon looks big against the night sky.
A hold nagynak látszik a sötét éjszakai égbolt hátterében.
Her hair is bright against her dark coat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with physical contact meaning; here it refers to visual or conceptual contrast.
Meaning
contrasted with background
Collocations
stand out against
|dark against light
Synonyms
contrasted with (More formal; often used in artistic or analytical contexts.)
Antonyms
blended with (Indicates no clear contrast with surroundings.)
Themes
visual
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say something looks different because of what is behind it or next to it.
Used to show that something is seen clearly because it is in front of a different background or compared with something else.
B1
4
ellen
A2
Usage pattern:
[action/measure] against [danger/problem]
They took precautions against fire.
Tűz elleni óvintézkedéseket tettek.
She was vaccinated against measles.
Kanyaró ellen oltották be.
We saved money as a safeguard against future problems.
Learner examples
I wear a coat against the cold.
Kabátot viselek a hideg ellen.
We have insurance against accidents.
Van biztosításunk balesetek ellen.
He locked the door against thieves.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'against' and use 'for', which changes meaning. 'For' suggests purpose; 'against' suggests protection from danger.
Meaning
in preparation for harm
Collocations
insurance against loss
|protection against disease
Synonyms
in case of ('In case of' is similar but often used in instructions.)
Antonyms
unprepared for (Indicates no preparation or defense.)
Themes
safety
|planning
|core_vocabulary
|health
Definition
Used to say something is done to stop bad things from happening.
Used to indicate that something is done to protect from, prevent, or prepare for a possible danger, problem, or loss.
Grammar
Dictionary form
against
IPA
GB/əɡˈɛnst/
US/əɡˈɛnst/
Syllables & stress
against (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: against
- Plural: againsts
Word family
Forms
againsts
noun
Expressions
pitch someone/something against someone/something
1/pˈɪt͡ʃ sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ əɡˈɛnst sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
make compete directly
To make two people or groups fight or compete with each other.
Examples
- The tournament will pitch the best players against each other.
- The debate pitched two strong candidates against one another.
stand up against
1/stˈænd ˈʌp əɡˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
actively resist opposition
To fight or speak out to stop someone or something that is wrong or unfair.
Examples
- We must stand up against injustice.
- She stood up against the bully at school.
up against it
1/ˈʌp əɡˈɛnst ˈɪt/
idiom
informal
facing serious difficulty
To be in a difficult situation with many problems and little chance of success.
Examples
- With no money and no job, he was really up against it.
- We're up against it with this deadline looming.
go against the grain
1/ɡˈoʊ əɡˈɛnst ðə ɡɹˈeɪn/
idiom
do something unnatural or uncomfortable
To do something that feels wrong, strange, or very different from what a person usually does or believes, or from what most people do.
Examples
- It goes against the grain for me to lie to anyone.
- It goes against the grain for her to lie, even to protect a friend.
- Helping them might go against the grain, but it's the right thing to do.
- Cutting jobs goes against the grain of everything the company stands for.
- Wasting food really goes against the grain in this household.