do something extremely difficult
Native recording
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- 1 do something extremely difficult、attempt a nearly impossible task、struggle with a very hard task
This idiom describes trying to do something extremely difficult, as if pushing a heavy mortar up a mountain. It often suggests great effort with little chance of easy success.
do something extremely difficult、attempt a nearly impossible task、struggle with a very hard task
Used figuratively for attempting a task that is extremely hard, inefficient, or nearly impossible to accomplish.
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งานนี้เหมือนเข็นครกขึ้นภูเขา ŋaan níi mʉ̌an khěn khrók khʉ̂n phuu khǎw This job is like pushing a mortar up a mountain. งานนี้เหมือนเข็นครกขึ้นภูเขา details
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การเปลี่ยนนิสัยเขาเหมือนเข็นครกขึ้นภูเขา kaan plìan nísǎy khǎw mʉ̌an khěn khrók khʉ̂n phuu khǎw Changing his habits is almost impossible. การเปลี่ยนนิสัยเขาเหมือนเข็นครกขึ้นภูเขา details
Learning notes
Explanation
The expression breaks down as เข็น “push,” ครก “mortar,” ขึ้น “up,” and ภูเขา “mountain.” The literal picture is pushing a heavy mortar up a mountain, so it refers to a task that requires enormous effort and is very hard to succeed at. It usually means “extremely difficult” rather than strictly impossible.
Usage
It is used when talking about work, projects, reform, persuasion, study, or any situation where progress is very hard despite great effort. A common pattern is เหมือนเข็นครกขึ้นภูเขา, “like pushing a mortar up a mountain.”
Caution
Do not use it just to mean “busy” or “tiring.” It implies that the task is extremely hard to move forward or succeed at. When used about someone’s effort, it can sound critical, as if their effort is unlikely to pay off.