Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Uphill: Definition, Usage & Common Phrases (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：ascending a slope (uphill)

uphill 🔊

/ˌʌpˈhɪl/

adv.

Moving or located in the direction towards the top of a slope or hill.

Uphill meaning illustrated by a cyclist climbing a steep road slope.

ascending a slope 🔊

➕

/əˈsɛndɪŋ ə sloʊp/

adv.

Describes movement or location in the upward direction of a hill or incline.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combines 'up' (ascending direction) and 'hill' (elevation or slope).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'up' + 'hill' – going up a hill requires effort.

📖 Example

We had to cycle uphill for almost an hour before we reached the scenic overlook. 🔊 We needed to pedal upwards on a slope for nearly an hour until we arrived at the scenic viewpoint.

🔗 Collocations

go uphill – to move or travel in an upward direction on a slope

uphill climb – a literal or metaphorical ascent that requires effort

uphill road – a road that slopes upward

🔄 Synonyms

upward (adv.) – in a direction towards a higher point

ascending (adj.) – moving or going upward

climbing (adj.) – rising or going up

🚫 Antonyms

downhill (adv.) – moving or located in the direction towards the bottom of a slope

descending (adj.) – moving or going downward

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old English 'uppan' (up) and 'hyll' (hill). Now commonly used metaphorically, such as in 'uphill battle', to describe challenging tasks in business, sports, or personal endeavors.

Meaning 2：difficult struggle (uphill)

uphill 🔊

/ˌʌpˈhɪl/

adv.

Doing something that is hard and requires a lot of effort, like climbing a steep slope.

Uphill struggle concept shown as hands solving a complex puzzle.

difficult struggle 🔊

➕

/ˈdɪfɪkəlt ˈstrʌɡl/

adv.

Refers to a situation or task that is challenging and requires significant effort to overcome.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：中级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Learning a new language from scratch can be an uphill battle, but it's incredibly rewarding. 🔊 Acquiring a new language from the beginning can be a challenging endeavor, but it is very fulfilling.

🔗 Collocations

uphill battle – a difficult struggle or challenge that requires persistent effort

uphill task – a job or duty that is hard to accomplish

face an uphill struggle – to encounter a situation that is hard to succeed in

🔄 Synonyms

arduous (adj.) – involving or requiring strenuous effort

challenging (adj.) – testing one's abilities; difficult

struggling (adj.) – making a strenuous effort; facing difficulty

🚫 Antonyms

easy (adj.) – achieved without great effort; not difficult

downhill (adj.) – becoming easier or less difficult