Particle guide
Phrasal verbs with against
The particle against starts from one core idea — opposition, resistance, disadvantage, or contact from the other side. Sink In groups its verbs by the recurring ways that idea plays out, so verbs that look unrelated line up into patterns.
11 phrasal verbs · 6 meaning groups
Opposition
An action or choice moves in the opposite direction from a rule, idea, plan, or goal.
Resistance
A person or group pushes back against danger, harm, or an opposing force.
Hostility
Support changes into blame, dislike, or hostile action toward another person.
Disadvantage
A fact puts pressure on someone and makes success less likely.
Competition
Two people or teams face each other and try to win.
Physical Contact
A person or thing touches a surface and may use it for support.
Usual verb + particle uses
The verb keeps its normal meaning. The particle adds its usual direction or relation.
lean against
Rest on a surface for support
“The bicycle was leaning against the wall.”
“He leaned against the door while he waited.”
press against
Push firmly until something touches a surface
“She pressed her hand against the cold glass.”
“The box was pressed against the wall.”
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice the against patterns in Sink In
The app turns each meaning group into short review cards: recognition, particle cloze, meaning-to-particle recall, and schema matching.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
