battle against

battle against

1. To compete with an opponent in an intense way. We've been battling against enemy soldiers for days, and still they refuse to retreat. Those two teams battled against each other in a brutal seven-game playoff series.
2. To try to overcome something, such as a problem, issue, or illness. Aunt Margaret has been battling against cancer disease for a while now. As women, we had to battle against sexism in order join the city council.
See also: battle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

battle against someone or something

 
1. Lit. to wage a fight against someone or something; to attempt to defeat someone or something. The army battled against the enemy until both sides were exhausted.
2. Fig. to struggle with someone or something. We are battling against the ancient enemies of ignorance and hatred. I am tired of battling against Karen.
See also: battle
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • battle for
  • back down
  • beat a (hasty/quick) retreat, to
  • withdraw into (something)
  • scavenge
  • scavenge (around) for (something)
  • scavenge for
  • shuttle
  • shuttle diplomacy
  • plead the Fifth (Amendment)
References in classic literature
This Asphodicus killed Parthenopaeus the son of Talaus in the battle against the Argives, as the Thebans say; though that part of the "Thebais" which tells of the death of Parthenopaeus says that it was Periclymenus who killed him.
And to make this quite clear I say that I consider those who are able to support themselves by their own resources who can, either by abundance of men or money, raise a sufficient army to join battle against any one who comes to attack them; and I consider those always to have need of others who cannot show themselves against the enemy in the field, but are forced to defend themselves by sheltering behind walls.
I am at present in the midst of war, and am about to deliver a decisive battle against King Charles.
There is a college being built in Denver which is to equip the woman of the future for the struggle of life, and especially for her battle against man.
Why me, in whom till now you showed the most entire confidence - who for thirty years have been attached to your person, and have given you a thousand proofs of my devotion - for it must be said, now that I am accused - why reduce me to see three thousand of the king's soldiers march in battle against two men?"
see, he is again about to go up to battle against the Philistine Pray, child pray for the safety of the good youth, and of the speedy horse, and the rich armour.
Worthy Miss Pinkerton, although she had a Roman nose and a turban, and was as tall as a grenadier, and had been up to this time an irresistible princess, had no will or strength like that of her little apprentice, and in vain did battle against her, and tried to overawe her.
Markham, you that maintain that a boy should not be shielded from evil, but sent out to battle against it, alone and unassisted - not taught to avoid the snares of life, but boldly to rush into them, or over them, as he may - to seek danger, rather than shun it, and feed his virtue by temptation, - would you -?'
"Now unbind the Englishman," he cried, and, leaping forward, ran to join Zu-tag and his fellows in their battle against the blacks.
The Republicans are foes to equality, though most of them fight the battle against equality with the very word itself the slogan on their lips.
He now spoke of the long and painful route by which they had left those spacious grounds and happy villages, to come and battle against the enemies of their Canadian fathers.
But the revolt against the spirit of commerce, the spirit of aristocracy, and the inveterate abuses of cities, did not appear possible to individuals; and to do battle against numbers they armed themselves with numbers, and against concert they relied on new concert.
The 44-year-old, who has supported the club since he was six, said: "It's a review of Wolves' season and it's like a diary and my battle against these mental health issues.
One of the banners reads: "The people of Beirut support Jon Snow in his battle against the White Walkers" in reference to the hero's battle against the White Walkers expected to be one major event in the eighth and last season scheduled to be premiered on April 14.
The Left is not waging a battle against just President Trump, Judge Kavanaugh, and the conservatives, they are waging a battle against the very foundations of our country and its government.