make it to the summit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it to the summit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to successfully reaching the highest point of a mountain or achieving a significant goal. Example: "After a long and challenging hike, we finally made it to the summit just in time to watch the sunrise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Kim said the pair had overcome many "obstacles" to make it to the summit.

The Guardian

He was in excellent condition on Everest, and was the first of the group to make it to the summit.

The Guardian

He stood on top of Manaslu without his teammates, who did not make it to the summit because of altitude sickness, fatigue and frostbite.

The New York Times - Sports

However, there is hope that Obama will support Ban's energy agenda – even if he does not make it to the summit.

The Guardian

"Infinite Jest" is not only massive but also forbidding, and more than a few of the hardy souls who set out to scale it will neither make it to the summit nor care to.

The New York Times - Books

Refreshingly, however, Davis ranges far beyond the probably unanswerable question always asked of this most iconic of climbers: did he, or did he not, make it to the summit of Everest before falling to his death on the mountain in 1924, 30 years before Hillary and Tenzing Norgay "knocked the bastard off".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

I never made it to the summit.

The Guardian - Travel

So what of the case for them making it to the summit?

The Economist

On May 22, Mr. Jerstad and Mr. Bishop made it to the summit.

The New York Times

And I finally got there and the weather broke, and I had my window and made it to the summit.

The New York Times - Sports

Even today, the debate continues over whether George Mallory and Andrew Irvine made it to the summit of Everest in 1924.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make it to the summit" to convey not only physical achievement (like climbing a mountain) but also metaphorical success in overcoming obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "make it to the summit" when referring to minor achievements or situations where the effort involved is minimal. The phrase implies a significant challenge overcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it to the summit" functions as a verbal phrase, often used idiomatically. Ludwig examples show it describing both literal and metaphorical ascents, referring to reaching a desired endpoint after effort and overcoming obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Travel

17%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it to the summit" is a versatile expression, effectively conveying the idea of achieving a goal after a challenging journey. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. While rooted in the literal context of mountaineering, its metaphorical applications extend to various domains like business, personal development, and creative endeavors. When using "make it to the summit", ensure the context aligns with the implication of overcoming obstacles to reach a significant accomplishment. If a less strenuous achievement is meant, consider alternatives like "reach the top" or "achieve the objective".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach the peak

Emphasizes the physical act of arriving at the highest point.

arrive at the top

A more general way to express reaching the highest point or achieving success.

get to the top

Similar to "arrive at the top", but slightly more informal.

scale the heights

Implies a challenging climb or great effort to reach a high position.

achieve the objective

Focuses on accomplishing a specific goal, not necessarily a physical summit.

attain the goal

Similar to "achieve the objective", but slightly more formal.

accomplish the mission

Suggests a planned and purposeful effort to reach a defined target.

realize the dream

Highlights the fulfillment of a long-held aspiration.

fulfil the ambition

Similar to "realize the dream", but emphasizes a strong desire for achievement.

succeed in reaching the goal

A more verbose way to express achieving a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "make it to the summit" in a sentence?

You can use "make it to the summit" to describe successfully reaching the top of a mountain, or metaphorically, to describe achieving a significant goal after overcoming challenges. For example: "After years of hard work, she finally "made it to the summit" of her career".

What are some alternatives to "make it to the summit"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "reach the peak", "arrive at the top", or "achieve the objective".

Is it appropriate to use "make it to the summit" in a business context?

Yes, it can be used metaphorically in a business context to describe reaching a major milestone or achieving a significant success, such as "After a challenging quarter, the company "made it to the summit" and exceeded its sales targets".

What's the difference between "make it to the summit" and "reach the top"?

"Make it to the summit" often implies a more arduous journey with obstacles overcome, while "reach the top" is a more general term for achieving a high point. The former suggests a struggle, the latter simply an arrival.