an uphill trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an uphill trajectory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or process that is challenging or difficult, often implying progress despite obstacles. Example: "The company has been on an uphill trajectory since the new management took over, facing numerous challenges along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One example of this can be seen in Raleigh, which has progressed on an uphill trajectory in recent years.

TechCrunch

By forcing TEV into a local fitness valley (TEVSer) and experimentally evolving for activity recovery, we mapped out an uphill trajectory (TEVSer→TEVSerX) that lies parallel in sequence space to a nearly flat, neutral trajectory of mutants with constant Cys nucleophile (TEVCys→TEVCysX; Figure 2 B).

ChemBioChem

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Usually when you start off that quickly, it's tough to continue the uphill trajectory," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

The C.D.C. faced an uphill battle to characterize the trajectory of the pandemic, to define its impact, to offer suggestions and to convince a wary public to get vaccinated.

The New York Times

He took me to the top of the slope and pointed me in a downward direction, a trajectory that would eventually end in a bit of an uphill.

HuffPost

Ratification was an uphill battle.

The New Yorker

It is an uphill battle.

The New York Times

It was an uphill struggle.

The New Yorker

This is an uphill battle.

The New York Times

It faced an uphill battle.

The New Yorker

It was an uphill battle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an uphill trajectory" to describe situations where progress is being made despite significant obstacles. It suggests resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "an uphill trajectory" to describe situations that are simply challenging without an element of progress or improvement. The phrase implies a positive direction, even if the path is difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an uphill trajectory" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., "on an uphill trajectory") or as a predicate nominative. According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an uphill trajectory" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that describes a challenging but progressively positive situation. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, reflecting its suitability for describing progress against adversity. While its usage is relatively rare, it offers a concise way to communicate resilience and determination. When writing, use this phrase to highlight situations where effort leads to improvement, even amidst difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging climb

Emphasizes the difficulty of the ascent or progress being made.

a difficult path forward

Focuses on the obstacles that need to be overcome to move ahead.

a tough road to success

Highlights the hardship involved in achieving a favorable outcome.

a steep ascent

Suggests a rapid and challenging rate of progress.

a demanding course

Stresses the rigor and effort required to stay on track.

an arduous journey

Conveys a sense of prolonged difficulty and endurance.

a taxing progression

Underscores the exhausting nature of the advancement.

a trying advancement

Focuses on the stressful and testing aspects of the progress.

a laborious evolution

Highlights the slow, painstaking nature of the development.

a painstaking process

Emphasizes the care and precision required for each step of the advance.

FAQs

What does "an uphill trajectory" mean?

The phrase "an uphill trajectory" describes a situation or process where progress is being made, but it's challenging and requires significant effort to overcome obstacles. It implies a positive direction despite the difficulties.

When is it appropriate to use "an uphill trajectory" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "an uphill trajectory" when you want to convey that something is improving or advancing, even though there are difficulties and obstacles along the way. For example, a company that is recovering from financial losses might be described as being on "an uphill trajectory".

What can I say instead of "an uphill trajectory"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging climb", "a difficult path forward", or "a tough road to success" depending on the specific context.

Is "an uphill trajectory" formal or informal?

"An uphill trajectory" is suitable for both neutral and professional contexts. It's not overly formal but is more appropriate for business or news reporting than for casual conversation. It is often used in reports and analyses.