# push water uphill

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/push-water-uphill
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To try to achieve a goal despite huge resistance or nearly futile awkwardness, the task being an uphill battle.

## Examples

- Trying to change his mind is like pushing water uphill.
- The manager knew that convincing the board to approve the expensive project was like pushing water uphill.
- Attempting to reform the deeply entrenched bureaucracy without any support from the leadership felt like pushing water uphill.

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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.