Meaning: This idiom refers to a difficult struggle or challenge that requires a lot of effort to overcome. It implies that achieving success will not be easy and will involve significant obstacles.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “Convincing the board to approve the new policy will be an uphill battle.”
- “Recovering from the economic downturn is proving to be an uphill battle for many small businesses.”
- “She faced an uphill battle in her career, working hard to overcome numerous setbacks and discrimination.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “uphill battle” likely comes from the physical challenge of fighting or moving uphill, which is much more strenuous than moving on flat ground or downhill. The steep incline represents the difficulties and obstacles that make progress slower and more challenging. This metaphor has been adopted into everyday language to describe any situation that requires extra effort and perseverance to achieve success.
