uphill battle

USAGE SUMMARY

'uphill battle' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation that requires a lot of effort and is difficult to achieve. For example: "The students were facing an uphill battle to pass the exam, given the level of the material they had to learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an uphill battle.

The New York Times

Ratification was an uphill battle.

The New Yorker

It 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

Americans love an uphill battle.

The New York Times

But it may be an uphill battle.

The New York Times

She faces an uphill battle with Avon.

The New York Times

But that can be an uphill battle.

The New York Times

"It was kind of an uphill battle".

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Samaras faces an uphill battle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uphill battle", ensure the context clearly establishes the opposing forces or challenges that make the situation difficult. For instance, "Convincing the board to adopt this strategy will be an uphill battle, given their conservative approach" provides a clear understanding of the resistance involved.

Common error

Avoid using "uphill battle" to describe minor inconveniences or tasks that simply require effort. The phrase implies a significant and persistent challenge, not just a momentary difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uphill battle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms that it describes a situation where success is unlikely without significant effort. The examples Ludwig provides show it describing various struggles, from political strategy to business ventures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uphill battle" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations fraught with challenges and requiring substantial effort for success. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "formidable challenge" or "tough struggle", offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "uphill battle", clarity and context are key to effectively conveying the scale and intensity of the difficulty. Understanding its nuances and avoiding overuse in trivial situations will ensure its appropriate and impactful application. Ludwig's AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formidable challenge

Replaces "battle" with "challenge", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

tough struggle

Substitutes "battle" with "struggle", highlighting the effort and resistance involved.

arduous task

Replaces "battle" with "task", focusing on the labor-intensive aspect of the undertaking.

difficult endeavor

Emphasizes the complexity and demanding nature of the undertaking.

daunting prospect

Highlights the intimidating and discouraging nature of the situation.

herculean effort

Emphasizes the immense strength and effort required.

considerable undertaking

Highlights the scale and complexity of the endeavor.

steep climb

Uses a metaphorical comparison to a physical challenge, indicating a difficult ascent.

trying ordeal

Focuses on the stressful and unpleasant nature of the experience.

demanding situation

Broadly describes a scenario requiring significant effort and resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "uphill battle" in a sentence?

You can use "uphill battle" to describe a situation where success is difficult to achieve due to significant obstacles. For example: "Gaining market share in this competitive industry will be an "uphill battle".

What's a synonym for "uphill battle"?

Synonyms for "uphill battle" include "formidable challenge", "tough struggle", or "arduous task". These phrases all convey the sense of a difficult and demanding undertaking.

Is it appropriate to use "uphill battle" in formal writing?

Yes, "uphill battle" is suitable for formal writing, especially in contexts like business reports, news articles, or academic papers, where you need to describe a challenging situation. However, consider the tone of the writing and whether a more direct or specific term might be more appropriate. For example, you could say "significant challenge" instead of "uphill battle".

What is the difference between "uphill battle" and "difficult task"?

While both phrases describe challenging situations, "uphill battle" implies a more prolonged and intense struggle against significant opposition. A "difficult task" may simply require effort and skill, but an "uphill battle" suggests facing entrenched resistance or overwhelming odds.