Mountain idioms are an exciting part of the English language! They help describe life’s challenges, hard work, and triumphs in a unique way.
Whether you’re talking about overcoming a difficult situation or feeling on top of the world, mountain idioms are perfect for adding some color to your language.
In this article, we’ll go through 35 mountain idioms, their meanings, and examples of how to use them. Let’s dive in and explore these fun expressions!
35 Must-Know Mountain Idioms: Meanings & Easy Examples
- A mountain to climb
Meaning: A difficult challenge or task.
Example: She has a mountain to climb before she can graduate from university.
- Move mountains
Meaning: To do something very difficult or impossible.
Example: He is so determined, he believes he can move mountains.
- A molehill out of a mountain
Meaning: To make a small problem seem much bigger than it really is.
Example: Stop making a mountain out of a molehill; it’s just a minor mistake.
- Climbing the corporate ladder
Meaning: Progressing in a job or career.
Example: He is climbing the corporate ladder and hopes to become CEO soon.
- Get over the mountain
Meaning: To overcome a big obstacle or difficulty.
Example: Once we get over the mountain of paperwork, everything will be easier.
- Mountain of work
Meaning: A large amount of work to do.
Example: I have a mountain of work to finish before the deadline.
- Face the mountain
Meaning: To confront a major problem or challenge.
Example: She had to face the mountain of debt after losing her job.
- Between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: To be in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two bad options.
Example: I was between a rock and a hard place when both jobs offered different benefits.
- The top of the mountain
Meaning: The highest point of success.
Example: After years of hard work, he finally reached the top of the mountain.
- A mountain in the distance
Meaning: A goal or challenge that seems far away.
Example: Finishing the novel is like a mountain in the distance, but I’ll get there.
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- A steep mountain to climb
Meaning: A difficult situation or challenge.
Example: Starting my own business is a steep mountain to climb, but I’m ready.
- Like a bull in a china shop
Meaning: Someone who is very clumsy or does something without care.
Example: He acted like a bull in a china shop when he tried to solve the problem.
- A mountain of evidence
Meaning: A large amount of proof or information.
Example: The police had a mountain of evidence against the suspect.
- The mountain doesn’t come to Muhammad
Meaning: If you want something, you have to go to it, not wait for it to come to you.
Example: If you want a promotion, the mountain doesn’t come to Muhammad – you need to work for it.
- Reach the summit
Meaning: To achieve the highest point of success.
Example: After years of hard work, she reached the summit of her career.
- An uphill struggle
Meaning: A difficult or challenging situation.
Example: Getting approval for this project has been an uphill struggle.
- The view from the top
Meaning: The perspective or benefits after achieving success.
Example: It was hard work, but now I see the view from the top and it was worth it.
- A high mountain to scale
Meaning: A difficult challenge or goal to reach.
Example: Building a new school in the town was a high mountain to scale, but they did it.
- Like finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: A very difficult or nearly impossible task.
Example: Trying to find his lost keys in the snow was like finding a needle in a haystack.
- A walk in the mountains
Meaning: Something that is easy to do.
Example: The exam was a walk in the mountains for her because she studied so much.
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- A rocky road
Meaning: A difficult or challenging path or situation.
Example: Their relationship has been a rocky road, but they are still together.
- Put your money where your mouth is
Meaning: To show your commitment through actions, not just words.
Example: If you think you can win the race, put your money where your mouth is and enter it!
- Every mountain has a valley
Meaning: Every good or bad situation will eventually change.
Example: Things are tough now, but remember, every mountain has a valley.
- Rock solid
Meaning: Very strong or reliable.
Example: He has a rock-solid plan for his future.
- Climbing to new heights
Meaning: Achieving greater success.
Example: She’s always climbing to new heights in her career.
- Walking on thin ice
Meaning: Doing something risky or dangerous.
Example: If you keep ignoring the rules, you’re walking on thin ice.
- The sky’s the limit
Meaning: There is no limit to what can be achieved.
Example: With hard work, the sky’s the limit for her future.
- Up the mountain without a map
Meaning: To try to achieve something without proper guidance or planning.
Example: Starting the project up the mountain without a map didn’t lead to good results.
- Downhill from here
Meaning: A situation that becomes easier after a tough period.
Example: The project has been difficult, but it’s all downhill from here.
- Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To make a small problem seem much worse than it is.
Example: It’s just a tiny mistake. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
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- Climb the hill
Meaning: To face a challenge or difficulty.
Example: It’s hard, but I have to climb the hill if I want to succeed.
- At the foot of the mountain
Meaning: At the beginning of a challenging journey.
Example: We’re still at the foot of the mountain, but I’m confident we can reach the top.
- On top of the world
Meaning: Feeling very happy or successful.
Example: After winning the competition, she felt on top of the world.
- The mountain’s shadow
Meaning: Something big that makes everything else seem small.
Example: His achievements are the mountain’s shadow, making others feel insignificant.
- The mountain is calling
Meaning: A feeling of being drawn to a challenge or adventure.
Example: I hear the mountain calling me – I’m ready to go on an adventure.
Continue your idiom journey with this article: 75 Body Idioms with Meanings.
Exercises to Practice Mountain Idioms
Exercise 1: Match the Idiom with Its Meaning
Match the idioms with the correct meaning.
- A mountain to climb
- Reach the summit
- Move mountains
- A rocky road
- A walk in the mountains
A. A difficult situation
B. A very easy task
C. Achieve success or reach the highest point
D. A challenging task or goal
E. Do something very difficult or impossible
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Idiom
Choose the correct idiom to complete the sentences.
- Jane had a lot of work to finish, and it felt like she had _________.
- After years of hard work, I finally _________ in my career.
- It was a difficult project, but he was able to _________ and finish it.
- Their relationship has had many problems, but they’ve made it through the _________.
- That test was so easy, it was like _________.
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Answer
Choose the correct idiom based on the description.
- Which idiom describes a very large and difficult challenge?
a) A mountain to climb
b) A molehill out of a mountain
c) On top of the world - Which idiom refers to achieving success after a lot of hard work?
a) Reach the summit
b) A rocky road
c) The sky’s the limit - Which idiom means to make a small problem seem much worse?
a) Make a mountain out of a molehill
b) Downhill from here
c) Between a rock and a hard place - Which idiom refers to a very easy task?
a) A walk in the mountains
b) A steep mountain to climb
c) The top of the mountain
Exercise 4: Answer the Questions
Answer the following questions using the mountain idioms.
- What would you say if someone is trying to make a small problem seem much bigger?
- What idiom would you use to describe someone who believes they can achieve something very difficult?
- If you feel like you’ve achieved the highest point of success, which idiom would describe that feeling?
- If you’re about to face a big problem, what idiom might describe the challenge you’re about to face?
Answers to Exercises for Practicing Mountain Idioms
Exercise 1: Match the Idiom with Its Meaning
- D A challenging task or goal
- C Achieve success or reach the highest point
- E Do something very difficult or impossible
- A A difficult situation
- B A very easy task
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Idiom
- A mountain to climb
- Reach the summit
- Move mountains
- A rocky road
- A walk in the mountains
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Answer
- a) A mountain to climb
- a) Reach the summit
- a) Make a mountain out of a molehill
- a) A walk in the mountains
Exercise 4: Answer the Questions
- Make a mountain out of a molehill
- Move mountains
- Reach the summit
- A mountain to climb
By now, you’ve learned 35 mountain idioms that can make your English sound more dynamic and interesting.
These idioms about mountains will help you talk about obstacles, achievements, and everything in between. Keep practicing, and soon these idioms will become a natural part of your English vocabulary!
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