steep climb
Sharp uphill grade
A steep climb is an ascent at a sharp angle, requiring significant effort to traverse.
The phrase applies literally to hills, stairs, or aircraft gaining altitude quickly: The trail begins with a steep climb to the ridge.
Figuratively, it describes difficult progress toward a goal: Passing the bar exam was a steep climb, but she made it.
- ascentUpward movement
- inclineAngled rising surface
- gradientRate of change across space
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- false summitIllusory highest point
scramble · trudge · elevation · uphill · uphill battle · switchback · mountain · mountain pass · peak · exhausting · breathless · catch your breath · grueling · slope · vertical · hiking · altitude · challenging
- hikingtrail, hike, hiker, trails, day hikes
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
- increasesincrease, rise, gain, boost, hike
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, tough
- laborlabor, labor union, work, labor force, laborers
- flight maneuversturn, dive, roll, glide, loop
steep climbeasy path
Unchallenging course of action
smooth sailing · walk in the park · piece of cake · coasting · free fall
steep, steeply, steepness, steeper, steepest, climb, climbs, climbed, climbing