IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishan uphill battle
Meaning: A long, difficult struggle.
Example: “Getting the town to fund a new library was an uphill battle.”
Origin: Fighting uphill is harder than fighting downhill, a well-known disadvantage in warfare. The phrase is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Turkish: İğneyle kuyu kazmak Literally: To dig a well with a needle
Urdu: لوہے کے چنے چبانا (lohe ke chane chabana) Literally: To chew chickpeas of iron
More English idioms
- have all one's marbles To be of sound mind.
- thumb one's nose at To show contempt or mockery for someone or something.
- saw off the branch one is sitting on To harm one's own position or interests.
- pull a long face To look sad, sulky or disappointed.
- rushed off one's feet Extremely busy.
- sleep on it To delay a decision until the next day to think it over.
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- Râler To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.
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