downhill
adv. · adj. · n.-
1 toward the bottom (adv.) B1 Intermediatemoving toward the bottom of a hill or slope.
in a direction toward the bottom of a slope or incline.
ExampleThe bicycle picked up speed as it rolled downhill toward the park.
ExampleThe water flowed downhill through a series of narrow channels before eventually collecting in the valley reservoir.
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2 getting worse (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalgetting worse or losing quality over time.
metaphorically moving toward a state of decline, deterioration, or failure.
ExampleThe business started to go downhill after the main shop closed.
ExampleThe quality of the service went downhill rapidly once the original management team resigned from their positions.
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3 sloping down (adj.) B1 Intermediatesloping or leading toward the bottom of a hill.
sloping or leading in a downward direction.
ExampleThe downhill path was much easier to walk than the steep climb up.
ExampleThe downhill section of the racecourse is particularly treacherous during the winter months when ice forms on the asphalt.
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4 skiing event (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sporta type of skiing race where people go down a mountain very fast.
a specific discipline in alpine skiing characterized by high speeds and a long course with few turns.
ExampleShe won a gold medal in the downhill at the winter games.
ExampleThe downhill is often considered the most dangerous event in alpine skiing due to the extreme speeds reached by the competitors.
From down- + hill.