uphill battle
Grueling ongoing effort
An uphill battle is a struggle against difficult odds, like fighting while climbing a slope.
The phrase emphasizes sustained effort against resistance: Reforming the tax code will be an uphill battle.
The related uphill climb and uphill struggle carry the same meaning.
Demanding strenuous effort
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
- gruelingExtremely tiring and demanding
- demandingRequiring great effort
strenuous · tough · challenging · exhausting · laborious · onerous · relentless · steep
Test of ability
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- setbackReverse in progress
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
adversity · impediment · hindrance · opposition · resistance · burden · disadvantage · handicap
Firmness of purpose
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
fortitude · endurance · resolve · willpower · steadfastness · dedication · commitment · patience
Prevail against difficulty
- prevailTo succeed ultimately
- conquerOvercome by force
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- successFavorable outcome attained
breakthrough · achievement · surmount · win · turning point · progress · gain ground · momentum
arduous
Demanding strenuous effort
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
- gruelingExtremely tiring and demanding
demanding · strenuous · tough · challenging · exhausting · laborious · onerous · relentless · steep · difficult
challenge
Test of ability
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- setbackReverse in progress
struggle · adversity · impediment · hindrance · opposition · resistance · burden · disadvantage · handicap · ordeal
determination
Firmness of purpose
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
persistence · fortitude · endurance · resolve · willpower · steadfastness · dedication · commitment · patience · stamina
overcome
Prevail against difficulty
success · breakthrough · achievement · surmount · win · turning point · progress · gain ground · momentum · hard-won
toil
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- exertionVigorous physical effort
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
slog · grind · drudgery · endeavor · hard work · heavy lifting · strain · push · fight · campaign
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- difficultyeasy, hard, medium, difficult, moderate
- adversitystruggle, hardship, challenge, obstacle, difficulty
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, tough
- Futile Effortslost causes, wild goose chase, fool's errand, dead end, waste of time
uphill battlecakewalk
Effortless task or promenade
walk in the park · piece of cake · breeze · easy win · slam dunk
uphill battleholding all the cards
Having every advantage
inside track · home field advantage · path of least resistance · playing with house money · riding the wave
uphill battlesure thing
Guaranteed outcome or agreement
foregone conclusion · done deal · safe bet · shoo-in · lock
battle, uphill, battlefield, battling, battleship, battler, battlers, battle-axe, battleships