ENGLISH
REFERENCE

have a mountain to climb

idiom
Meaning

To face a difficult task or challenge.


Examples
SIMPLE

We have a mountain to climb to finish this project on time.

CONTEXTUAL

After losing the first three games of the season, the team knows they have a mountain to climb to reach the playoffs.

COMPLEX

Given the severe budget cuts and the tight deadline, the new manager realized she had a mountain to climb if she wanted to save the department.

Anchors to
Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    climb down

    An abandonment, withdrawal from, or softening of a previously expressed opinion, policy, argument, etc.

  2. 02

    climb the walls

    To behave in a distressed or frantic manner; to exhibit great agitation.

  3. 03

    go climb a tree

    Go away; a rude dismissal.

  4. 04

    make a mountain out of a molehill

    To treat a problem as greater than it is; to blow something out of proportion; to exaggerate the importance of something trivial.

  5. 05

    people mountain people sea

    crowded or jam-packed with people

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