it has been uphill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been uphill" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or experience that has been challenging or difficult over time. Example: "Since the start of the project, it has been uphill, with numerous obstacles to overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It has been uphill and uphill, and we haven't been able to find the downhill part yet," he said.

The New York Times

She has done her best to draw him out of himself and get him interested in something, but it has been uphill work.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The process has been uphill throughout," Carroll said.

The New York Times - Sports

Turning Waterstones round in double-dip recession UK has been uphill work.

The Guardian - Books

They range from the entire city of Camden, where the struggle has been uphill, to nearly half of New Brunswick, between Rutgers College in the city's northern end and Douglass College in its southern end.

The New York Times

The climb has been uphill from there.

Huffington Post

"I wish it would have been uphill at the end," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Truman said it would have been uphill work for Nest to make a profit under Condé Nast, which has high overhead.

The New York Times

The Flower Market Association, the trade group that represents wholesalers and retailers, was formed in 1999 to help merchants find a new space, but its efforts have been uphill.

The New York Times

This year, there have been uphill efforts to extend the state's emission reduction goals and shore up the cap-and-trade system, which faces legal challenges and market uncertainty.

Los Angeles Times

"The future of any country is its children, and I think in many countries it has been an uphill struggle to convince governments that investing in children is an investment in the future," says UNICEF Representative in DR Congo Pierrette Vu Thi.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been uphill" to describe a situation or process that has been consistently difficult and required sustained effort over time. For example, "Getting the project approved "it has been uphill" since the initial proposal".

Common error

Avoid using "it has been uphill" to describe a single, isolated incident. This phrase implies a prolonged period of difficulty, not a momentary setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been uphill" functions as an idiomatic expression, conveying that a task or situation has been consistently difficult and required significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, highlighting its role in describing challenging experiences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been uphill" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations characterized by persistent difficulty and sustained effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase effectively conveys the challenging nature of a process or endeavor, signaling that progress has not come easily. Alternative phrases like "it has been a struggle" or "it has been challenging" offer similar meanings, while practical writing tips advise using the phrase to indicate prolonged difficulty and avoiding its application to isolated incidents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been an uphill battle

Synonymous with the original phrase, adding the word "battle" for emphasis.

it has been a struggle

Replaces "uphill" with "a struggle", emphasizing the difficulty of the situation.

it has been a difficult process

Replaces "uphill" with "difficult process", highlighting the complexity of the undertaking.

it has been a challenge

Substitutes "uphill" with "a challenge", focusing on the demanding nature of the task.

it has been hard work

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the effort involved.

it has been tough going

Uses the idiom "tough going" to convey the difficulty and slow progress.

it has been a demanding task

Focuses on the high demands and effort required with "demanding task".

it has been an arduous journey

Emphasizes the length and difficulty of the process with "arduous journey".

it has presented numerous obstacles

Highlights the presence of many hurdles and challenges.

progress has been slow

Focuses on the lack of rapid advancement.

FAQs

What does the phrase "it has been uphill" mean?

The phrase "it has been uphill" means that something has been difficult and required a lot of effort over a period of time. It suggests a constant struggle against challenges.

When can I use "it has been uphill"?

Use "it has been uphill" to describe situations where progress has been slow and challenging due to continuous obstacles. For example, "Convincing the team to adopt the new strategy "it has been uphill" since the start."

What are some alternatives to saying "it has been uphill"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been a struggle", "it has been challenging", or "it has been difficult" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it has been an uphill battle" instead of "it has been uphill"?

Yes, "it has been an uphill battle" is a perfectly acceptable and synonymous alternative to "it has been uphill". The former emphasizes the confrontational aspect of the difficulty.