phrasal verb · neutral
run against
/rʌn əˈɡɛnst/run·a·GAINST
task2speaking
to compete against someone in an election; to be in opposition to something
Examples
“She decided to run against the incumbent mayor in the next election.”
“His plan runs against the company's existing policy.”
“Many candidates chose to run against the same incumbent.”
Band 8 sentence
“Several community leaders announced they would run against the sitting governor in protest at recent policy changes.”
Collocations
- run against the incumbent
- run against public opinion
Common mistakes
He will run for the mayor.→He will run against the mayor.
His idea runs with the policy.→His idea runs against the policy.
Say it for a higher band
5compete with→6challenge→7+run against
Synonyms
challenge
Easily confused
run for
“She decided to run against the long‑standing incumbent.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In run …
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