English Dictionary

GO AGAINST

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does go against mean? 

GO AGAINST (verb)
  The verb GO AGAINST has 3 senses:

1. fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patternsplay

2. act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promisesplay

3. resistplay

  Familiarity information: GO AGAINST used as a verb is uncommon.


 Dictionary entry details 


GO AGAINST (verb)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

break; go against; violate

Context example:

This sentence violates the rules of syntax

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "go against"):

fly in the face of; fly in the teeth of (go against)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something


Sense 2

Meaning:

Act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

breach; break; go against; infract; offend; transgress; violate

Context example:

break a promise

Hypernyms (to "go against" is one way to...):

disrespect (show a lack of respect for)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "go against"):

sin; transgress; trespass (commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law)

blunder; boob; drop the ball; goof; sin (commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake)

conflict; contravene; infringe; run afoul (go against, as of rules and laws)

trespass (break the law)

intrude; trespass (enter unlawfully on someone's property)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something


Sense 3

Meaning:

Resist

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

buck; go against

Context example:

buck the trend

Hypernyms (to "go against" is one way to...):

oppose; react (act against or in opposition to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something


 Context examples 


“I am sorry to go against your wishes, but I have made up my mind, and I must carry it through.”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Oh, it's such a relief, you can't think, to know that you understand our situation, and are certain (as you wouldn't wish to make unpleasantness in the family) not to go against me!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She’s been a good wife to me and I can’t go against her.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“If you'll have the goodness to keep my secret, Master Copperfield,” he pursued, “and not, in general, to go against me, I shall take it as a particular favour.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

You wouldn't wish to make unpleasantness. I know what a friendly heart you've got; but having only known me on my umble footing (on my umblest I should say, for I am very umble still), you might, unbeknown, go against me rather, with my Agnes.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Friend to all is a friend to none." (English proverb)

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