onward and upward
Always moving ahead
Onward and upward is an expression of optimism about continued progress or improvement.
It often serves as encouragement after a setback—acknowledging difficulty while urging forward momentum: We lost that round, but onward and upward.
The phrase can also be used ironically when prospects seem dim.
- ever-moreContinually more so
- ascentUpward movement
- progressMovement toward improvement
- moving forwardContinuing toward a goal
- cloudwardToward the sky
reach for the stars · advancement · improvement · growth · level up · perseverance · determination · never give up · success · tenacity · optimism · striving · momentum · flourishing · trajectory · forward · transcendence · promotion
- progressprogress, in progress, promotion, raise, making progress
- Mottoescarpe diem, be prepared, excelsior, always ready, liberty or death
- upward directionsup, skyward, heavenward, aloft, ascending
onward and upwarddownward spiral
Self-reinforcing deterioration
downhill · regression · retreat · deterioration · backsliding
onward and upwarddoom and gloom
Persistent negative outlook
giving up · throwing in the towel · resignation · defeatism · despair
onward and upwardstagnation
Absence of flow or progress
standstill · at a standstill · stuck in a rut · going nowhere · dead in the water