The phrase, 'It's all downhill from here." (master, exam, versus)

[Master Jay]

Good day,

I was looking for a forum that dealt with language. THIS seems to be the closest, so here we go...

My 2 co-workers disagree with me on this one.

I claim, for example, that if I work until 1:30 p.m., and it is now 12:00. I would say, "It's all downhill from here."

My reasoning:

1.) It's beyond the halfway mark, so I am closer to the end of the shift

2.) Much like going downhill, I am in a sort of "coasting" mode, which means it is easier (versus going uphill which would take more work).

ANY thoughts out there? A candy bar is on the line!

Thank you.

[North Beach Person]

I'll just say that there is an entire generation who don't understand common phrases such as your example.

Oh, you're right. What kind of candy bar?

[Master Jay]

North Beach Person,

HA! In fact, I had to explain to my 24-year-old co-worker the phrase, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

However, both her AND my 48-year-old co-workers say that in the example I gave of being done working in another 90 minutes, that I should say, " I only have 90 minutes left. It's all uphill from here."

So far, no one else here at work seems to side with them.

REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUP SHALL BE MINE!

[luv4horses]

All downhill from here to me refers to quality not ease of performance. It’s not to be celebrated.

[jtab4994]

It depends on context. The OP is using the phrase in a context that means things will be easy.

You can also use contextual clues to figure out if someone means it in a negative way, i.e. "After Pitcher X left in the 7th inning, things went downhill from there". But that is not the exact phrase the OP was using.

https://english.stackexchange.com/qu...-and-etymology

[springfieldva]

If you've gotten most of your work done and you are past the midpoint hour of your work day then I would say that "it's all down hill from here".

If you have not produced, however, and there is still a ton to do before the end of your work day, you will "have an uphill battle" to get it all done by the end of your shift.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

It depends on context. The OP is using the phrase in a context that means things will be easy.

You can also use contextual clues to figure out if someone means it in a negative way, i.e. "After Pitcher X left in the 7th inning, things went downhill from there". But that is not the exact phrase the OP was using.

https://english.stackexchange.com/qu...-and-etymology

Determining context is becoming a lost ability, mostly due to the reading assignments now being given.

[Bette]

Every Wednesday, my husband always mentions Hump Day. Middle of the week.

We used to have a DJ on a local station (radio) that would do Hump Day jokes all the time. It was the 80's and it was supposed to be funny.

I understand your meaning.

[Master Jay]

Ugh, my mother held a get together with 4 relatives last night. I asked her to ask everyone WHICH phrase should be used.

She said it was unanimous in "It's all UPHILL from here."

[joe from dayton]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Ugh, my mother held a get together with 4 relatives last night. I asked her to ask everyone WHICH phrase should be used.

She said it was unanimous in "It's all UPHILL from here."

That just sounds like a 100% fail rate.