uphill climb
Difficult ongoing effort
An uphill climb is a struggle against difficulty or resistance.
The literal sense—walking or driving up a slope—extends naturally to any challenging endeavor where progress feels slow and exhausting: Getting the bill through Congress will be an uphill climb.
The phrase emphasizes sustained effort against opposing forces rather than a single obstacle.
- steep gradeSeverely angled slope
- inclineAngled rising surface
- mountain passRoute through highlands
- ascentUpward movement
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
resilience · fortitude · grit · hardship · ambition · perseverance · determination · struggle · optimism · tenacity · never give up · keep pushing · long haul · gradient · setback · focus · obstacle · slope
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
- mountain roadsBlue Ridge Parkway, mountain pass, switchback, hairpin turn, incline
- cycling activitiesbiking, pedaling, cycling, road cycling, mountain biking
- slow thingssnail, tortoise, turtle, sloth, molasses
uphill climbwalk in the park
Effortless undertaking
piece of cake · cakewalk · easy ride · easy street · breeze
uphill climbdownhill run
Slope for skiing down
downward spiral · coasting · slippery slope · freefall · free fall
uphill climbinside track
Advantageous position from connections
head start · leg up · clear path · open road · tailwind
uphill, climb, hill, hills, hilly, hillside, hilltop, climbs, climbed