ENGLISH
REFERENCE

uphill battle

idiom
Meaning

A highly difficult task or problem that requires a great amount of effort and determination.


Examples
SIMPLE

Learning a new language is an uphill battle.

CONTEXTUAL

Trying to finish this project by tomorrow is an uphill battle, but we have to try.

COMPLEX

Despite the candidate's tireless efforts to win over the voters, the campaign remained an uphill battle against the established political powers.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    fight a losing battle

    To attempt a task or other endeavor in which there is no chance that it will succeed.

  2. 02

    lose one's battle

    To succumb to a serious illness.

  3. 03

    push water uphill

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

  4. 04

    win the battle, but lose the war

    To achieve a portion of a goal, but fail to achieve the entire goal.

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