To “give someone a run for their money” means to compete strongly enough that the expected winner has to work hard. Good alternatives should express serious competition or a close challenge, not simply effort or participation.
Best Phrases for Strong Competition
- Give them a real challenge
- Give them strong competition
- Put them to the test
- Make them work for it
- Keep them on their toes
- Give them a tough contest
- Challenge them all the way
- Push them hard
- Make it a close race
- Go toe-to-toe with them
- Hold their own against them
- Compete on equal terms
- Give them a serious contest
- Make them earn the win
Give them a real challenge
A close, neutral replacement that emphasizes making the opponent work hard.
Example: The newcomer could give the defending champion a real challenge.
Give them strong competition
Direct wording that works well in business, sport, awards, or comparisons.
Example: The smaller brand is giving the market leader strong competition.
Put them to the test
Emphasizes testing the opponent’s ability rather than necessarily making the contest close.
Example: The young team will put the favorites to the test.
Make them work for it
A conversational phrase meaning success will not come easily.
Example: If they want the title, we’re going to make them work for it.
Keep them on their toes
Suggests applying enough pressure that the other side must remain alert and responsive.
Example: The new entrant is keeping the established firms on their toes.
Give them a tough contest
Natural for sport, elections, competitions, or any direct contest.
Example: The challenger gave the champion a tough contest.
Challenge them all the way
Best when the competition remains serious from beginning to end.
Example: The underdogs challenged them all the way to the final whistle.
Push them hard
Concise wording for forcing a strong opponent to perform near their best.
Example: The second seed pushed her hard in all three sets.
Make it a close race
Works for literal races as well as elections, rankings, and competitive targets.
Example: The independent candidate could make it a close race.
Go toe-to-toe with them
An informal idiom for competing directly and confidently with a strong rival.
Example: The start-up is ready to go toe-to-toe with much larger competitors.
Hold their own against them
Means performing respectably against a stronger or more established opponent.
Example: The new recruits held their own against the experienced side.
Compete on equal terms
A more formal phrase for facing an opponent without a meaningful competitive disadvantage.
Example: The funding will help smaller firms compete on equal terms.
Give them a serious contest
Professional, neutral wording for presenting substantial opposition.
Example: The rival bid could give the incumbent a serious contest.
Make them earn the win
An energetic phrase suggesting the opponent may still win but will not do so easily.
Example: We may be the underdogs, but we’ll make them earn the win.