face an uphill battle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face an uphill battle" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to encounter a difficult challenge or situation. Example: "The team knew they would face an uphill battle in the playoffs, as they were up against the top-ranked team in the league."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The rest face an uphill battle.

The Economist

But they face an uphill battle.

The New York Times - Arts

But the cities face an uphill battle.

The New York Times

They face an uphill battle.

The New York Times

The challengers face an uphill battle in the courts.

The New York Times

But some buildings simply face an uphill battle.

The New York Times

But they know they face an uphill battle.

The New York Times

But any such measures would face an uphill battle.

The New York Times

Mr. Abraham may face an uphill battle in 2009.

The New York Times

But these callow youngsters face an uphill battle.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Columbus will face an uphill battle in this one.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face an uphill battle" when you want to emphasize that someone or something will have to overcome significant obstacles to succeed. This phrase is particularly effective in contexts where there is strong opposition or unfavorable circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "face an uphill battle" when the situation only presents minor inconveniences or easily surmountable challenges. The phrase is best reserved for scenarios where success is genuinely threatened by considerable adversity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face an uphill battle" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It typically describes a situation where someone or something is likely to encounter significant obstacles and resistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face an uphill battle" is a common idiom used to describe situations fraught with significant challenges and obstacles. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "encounter significant resistance" or "struggle against adversity" exist, "face an uphill battle" specifically conveys the sense of a difficult climb against unfavorable odds. When using this phrase, ensure the situation genuinely warrants the description of a tough and challenging struggle, avoiding its application to minor inconveniences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter significant resistance

Focuses on the opposition faced, rather than the difficulty of the overall task.

be up against it

An idiomatic expression meaning to be facing hardship.

struggle against adversity

Highlights the struggle and the negative circumstances.

swim against the tide

Implies opposition from prevailing trends.

contend with difficulties

Emphasizes the act of dealing with problems.

have one's work cut out

Indicates a substantial amount of effort will be needed.

meet with challenges

A more general term for facing obstacles.

fight a losing battle

Suggests a likely defeat, more pessimistic than the original.

have a tough time

An informal way of saying things will be difficult.

run into obstacles

Focuses on encountering impediments.

FAQs

How to use "face an uphill battle" in a sentence?

You can use "face an uphill battle" to describe a situation where success is difficult to achieve due to unfavorable circumstances. For example, "The new company will "face an uphill battle" competing with established brands".

What can I say instead of "face an uphill battle"?

You can use alternatives like "encounter significant resistance", "struggle against adversity", or "be up against it depending on the context.

Which is correct, "face an uphill battle" or "face a losing battle"?

"Face an uphill battle" suggests a difficult but potentially winnable situation, while "face a losing battle" implies that defeat is almost certain. The choice depends on the degree of adversity.

What's the difference between "face an uphill battle" and "meet with challenges"?

"Face an uphill battle" suggests a prolonged and arduous struggle against considerable odds, whereas "meet with challenges" is a more general term indicating the presence of obstacles that need to be overcome.