losing ground

• slippingLosing footing unintentionally
• retreatingMoving back from advance
• decliningDecreasing in strength
• weakeningBecoming less strong
• fadingGradual loss of intensity

falling behind · backsliding · stumbling · eroding · crumbling · sinking · struggling · floundering · yielding · ceding · defeat · setback · downhill · quicksand · uphill battle · treading water · slipping away · foothold

• decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
• setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
• declinedecline, in decline, decrease, downswing, on the decline
• declinesdrop, decline, downtrend, downturn, downfall
• finish line expressionsphoto finish, down to the wire, home stretch, final stretch, final lap
• Disadvantageddisadvantaged, underprivileged, vulnerable, marginalized, needy