[up.hill] n (1548): rising ground: ascent
[2]up.hill adv (1607) 1: upward on a hill or incline
2: against difficulties "seemed to be talking ~ --Willa Cather" [3]up.hill adj (1613) 1: situated on elevated ground
2. a: going up: ascending b: being the higher one or part esp. of a set; specif: being nearer the top of an incline
3: difficult, laborious