# pit against

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pit-against
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To set in opposition to someone or something else.

## Examples

- The coach likes to pit the two best players against each other.
- The new policy pits the sales team against the marketing department, causing a lot of unnecessary tension.
- History often pits the ideals of individual freedom against the demands of state security, creating a difficult balance for any government to maintain.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.