uphill
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.sloping or leading upwards.
adj.sloping or leading to higher ground; describing a path or direction that ascends.
Simple“The uphill climb was exhausting, but the view from the top was worth it.”
In context“The cyclists struggled against the steep uphill gradient during the final stage of the mountain race.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.needing a large amount of effort over a long time.
adj.requiring great effort or endurance; typically used in the phrase 'an uphill battle' or 'an uphill task'.
Simple“Starting a new business without any savings is an uphill struggle.”
In context“Convincing the board to approve the radical restructuring plan proved to be an uphill battle for the new CEO.”
Antonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
adv.towards the top of a hill or slope.
adv.in an ascending direction; towards a higher point on a slope.
Simple“We had to walk uphill for two miles to reach the cabin.”
In context“Water does not naturally flow uphill without the assistance of a mechanical pump or significant pressure.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a piece of ground that slopes upwards.
n.an upward incline or a stretch of rising ground.
Simple“The runner struggled as he hit the long uphill near the end of the race.”
In context“The path was a series of steep uphills and sudden drops that tested the hikers' stamina.”
Usage uphill battle
“Jolly faces an uphill battle in November, however.”
“Williams had her serve broken in the first game of the match and faced an uphill battle the rest of the way.”
From up + hill.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.