up against it

• : to, toward, or in a more elevated position: to climb up to the top of a ladder.
• : to or in an erect position: to stand up.
• : out of bed: to get up.
• : above the horizon: The moon came up.
• : to or at any point that is considered higher.
• : to or at a source, origin, center, or the like: to follow a stream up to its source.
• : to or at a higher point or degree, as of rank, size, value, pitch, loudness, brightness, maturity, or speed: to move up in a firm; to pump up a tire; to turn a lantern up; Prices are going up. Speak up! Hurry up!
• : ahead; in a leading position in a competition: He managed to get up on his opponent by three points.
• : in continuing contact, especially as reflecting continuing awareness, knowledge, etc.: to keep up with the latest developments in mathematics.
• : into or in activity, operation, etc.: to set up vibrations.
• : into a state of emotional agitation or distress: His insults left her all roiled up.
• : into existence, visible form, etc.: His sample was worked up in the studio.
• : into view, prominence, or consideration: The lost papers have turned up.
• : into or in a place of safekeeping, storage, retirement, etc.: to lay up riches; to put up preserves.
• : into or in a state of union, contraction, etc.: to add up a column of figures; to fold up.
• : to the required or final point: to pay up one's debts; burned up.
• : to a state of completion; to an end: She finished it all up.
• : to a halt: The riders reined up and dismounted.
• : Baseball. being the player or team batting; at bat.
• : : Go wake your father up. What plugged it up? We laughed it up.
• : ahead of an opponent or opponents in points, games, etc.: The golfer was two strokes up on his nearest competitor.
• : each; apiece: The score was seven up in the final quarter.
• : working; in working order or in operation.
• : Informal. without the addition of ice; straight up: Bring me a martini, up.
• : Nautical. toward the wind: Put the helm up.

• : to, toward, or at an elevated place on or in: They went up the stairs. The cat is up the tree.
• : to, toward, or at a high or higher station, condition, or rank on or in: He is well up the social ladder.
• : at or to a farther point or higher place on or in: She is up the street. I'm going up the street.
• : toward the source, origin, etc., of: up the stream.
• : toward a particular direction or in the interior of, as a region or territory: The explorers were up north.
• : in a course or direction that is contrary to that of: to row up the current.

• : moving in or related to a direction that is up or is regarded as up: the up elevator; the up train traveling north; the up platform of a railroad station.
• : informed; familiar; aware: She is always up on current events.
• : concluded; ended; finished; terminated: The game is up. Your hour is up.
• : going on or happening; taking place; occurring: What's up over there?
• : having a high position or station: He is up in society.
• : in an erect, vertical, or raised position: The gate at the railroad crossing is up. The tent is up.
• : above the earth or ground: The corn is up and ready to be harvested.
• : in the air; aloft: The meteorological balloons are up. The airplanes are up for their reconnaissance flights.
• : risen above the horizon: The sun is up.
• : awake or out of bed: to be up with insomnia.
• : mounted on horseback: He knows which jockeys are up in every race.
• : high with relation to the banks or shore: The tide is up.
• : built; constructed: The new museum is up and open to the public.
• : facing upward: He is resting and his face is up.
• : sunny-side up.
• : having the surface broken or removed: a torn-up road.
• : in revolt, mutiny, or rebellious agitation: Many territories were up and preparing to send troops against the government.
• : in a state of agitation: Beware of him when his temper is up.
• : Informal. cheerful or optimistic; high-spirited; happy; exuberant; upbeat.
• : Informal. productive, favorable, or profitable: a string of up months for the company.
• : afoot or amiss: Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
• : in a state of enthusiastic or confident readiness: The team was definitely up for the game.
• : bound; on the way: She was on a ship up for Australia.
• : resolved in an unfavorable or undesired way: They knew that their game was up.
• : higher than formerly in cost, amount, degree, etc.: The price of meat was up.
• : advanced: He is rather spry for a man so up in years.
• : active: The captain wished to set sail as soon as the wind was up.
• : in a legal proceeding as defendant: He is up for murder.
• : in operation or ready for use: The theater's lights are up.
• : ahead; in advance: He won the game with two points up over his opponent.
• : considered or under consideration: a candidate up for reelection; a bill that is up before Congress.
• : wagered; bet: He won all the money up in the game.
• : living or located inland or on elevated ground: They live in a village two miles up from the coast.
• : : It was 10 up at the end of the first half.
• : ahead of an opponent or opponents: They scored three times in a row to go two up.

• : an upward movement; ascent.
• : a rise of fortune, mood, etc.
• : a time of good fortune, prosperity, or happiness: He has had more ups than downs in his career.
• : an upbound means of public transportation, as a train or bus.
• : Informal. a feeling or state of happiness, exuberance, or elation.
• : a person or thing that is in a favorable position of wealth, fortune, etc.: People who were ups in the business world suffered losses in the economic depression.
• : an upward slope; elevation.
• : an upward course or rise, as in price or value: The landlord promised his tenants there would be no further ups in the rent this year.
• : Slang. upper.

upped, up·ping.

• : to put or take up.
• : to make larger; step up: to up output.
• : to raise; go better than: to up the ante.

upped, up·ping.

• : Informal. to start up; begin something abruptly: Then he upped and ran away from home.
• : to rise up: Up, men, and fight until all the enemy are defeated!