a mountain to climb

mountain to climb

A very difficult task or challenge. You certainly have a mountain to climb if you intend to get this project done by Thursday.
See also: climb, mountain
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a mountain to climb

mainly BRITISH
If someone has a mountain to climb, they have to do a task which will be very difficult and will involve a lot of hard work. The negotiators have a mountain to climb if they want to bring lasting peace to this region. He still has a mountain to climb in persuading the public that war is justified.
See also: climb, mountain
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • mountain to climb
  • have a mountain to climb
  • climb up
  • go climb a tree
  • Go climb a tree!
  • toil up
  • toil up (something)
  • scale up
  • climb Parnassus
  • scale down
References in periodicals archive
Visiting Genoa have the worst defensive record away from home in Serie A and look to have a mountain to climb against an Inter side who are flying high.
Forlan set to return in style for lethal Inter; FOOTBALL INTER v GENOA 8pm
A Mountain To Climb follows the exploits of the group, that included rugby legend JPR Williams, and chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Pickering, as they scale the heights of the 20,000ft mountain to raise money for the NSPCC Wales FULL Stop Appeal.
A Mountain To Climb will be shown on ITV Wales at 8pm on Friday.
Charity boost thanks to climb