英语短语 "be up against" 是一个表达“面临、遭遇(困难/挑战/对手)”的常用动词短语,核心强调主语正处于需要应对“对抗性”或“挑战性”情境的状态(如难题、竞争、困境等)。以下是详细的含义、用法及例子:
表示“面临(不利情况);遭遇(强劲对手/困难)”,隐含“需要与之对抗、解决”的意味(区别于中性的“face”,更强调“对抗性”)。
结构:`be up against + 名词/代词`,直接说明“面临的对象”。
接“困难/挑战”:
We're up against a shortage of staff this month.(我们这个月面临员工短缺的问题。)
The new policy is up against strong public opposition.(新政策遭遇公众的强烈反对。)
接“对手/竞争者”:
Our team is up against the defending champions in the next game.(我们队下一场要对阵卫冕冠军。)
She's up against some really talented people for the scholarship.(她申请奖学金时遇到了很多才华横溢的竞争者。)
结构:`be up against sb. for sth.`,表示“与某人竞争某目标/职位”(如晋升、奖项、机会等)。
He's up against his best friend for the lead role in the play.(他和好朋友竞争话剧的主角。)
The two companies are up against each other for the big contract.(两家公司争夺这份大合同。)
固定表达,意为“处于困境;遇到大麻烦;走投无路”,强调情况危急、难以应对。
If we don't get the loan, we'll be up against it—we can't pay the rent.(如果拿不到贷款,我们就完了——付不起房租了。)
They were up against it when their car broke down in the middle of nowhere.(他们的车在荒郊野外抛锚,真是陷入了绝境。)
主语:通常是“人/团队/组织”等有行为能力的主体(如We/They/The company)。
区别于其他短语:
`face`:仅表示“面对”(中性,无对抗感);
`confront`:强调“直面、正视”(更主动);
`be up against`:侧重“正在应对需要对抗的事物”(如困难、对手)。
“be up against”是描述“正在面临挑战/困境/对手”的实用短语,口语和书面均常用。记住核心搭配:
面临某事/某人:`be up against sth./sb.`
与某人竞争某事:`be up against sb. for sth.`
陷入困境:`be up against it`
通过例子代入场景,更容易掌握~