downhill

downhill — adverb

1. moving from a higher position on a hill toward the bottom, so that the ground gr

1.adverbB1
Definition

moving from a higher position on a hill toward the bottom, so that the ground gradually drops away beneath you.

Example

The children ran downhill as fast as their legs could carry them.

verb of motion + downhill

Obi glanced downhill to see whether anyone was climbing up from the valley.

Common collocations
  • roll downhill
  • run downhill
  • lead downhill
  • head downhill
Synonyms
  • downward

    slightly more formal; can describe any downward direction, not only hills

  • downslope

    less common; mostly used in technical or hiking contexts

Antonyms
  • uphill

    the opposite direction — toward the top of the hill

Grammar Patterns

verb + downhill

downhill + preposition phrase

2. into a condition that is worse than before — used to describe a decline in quali

2.adverbB2
Definition

into a condition that is worse than before — used to describe a decline in quality, health, performance, or overall situation.

Example

After the senior manager left, the company's finances went downhill very quickly.

go downhill — decline in quality

Caleb's health went downhill after he stopped taking his daily walks.

Common collocations
  • go downhill
  • head downhill
  • slide downhill
  • spiral downhill
Synonyms
  • decline

    more formal and broader; can be used without a specific phrase pattern

  • deteriorate

    more formal; often describes health or conditions getting worse

  • worsen

    direct and neutral; used for situations, conditions, or relations

Antonyms
  • improve

    the opposite movement — toward a better state

  • better

    can be used as a verb meaning to make or become better

Grammar Patterns

go downhill

head downhill

slide downhill

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the phrase 'go downhill' or 'head downhill' when used figuratively. The verb 'go' carries the sense of gradual change, not literal movement.

Common Mistakes

The project went to downhill quickly.
The project went downhill quickly.
'downhill' is an adverb here, not a noun; no preposition 'to' is needed.
Idioms

go downhill

idiom

To become worse in condition, quality, or success over time.

After the manager left, the restaurant's service went downhill quickly.

Did the company's reputation go downhill after the scandal?

downhill — noun

downhill — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/2

這幾個詞都表示情況變差，但用法和語氣略有不同。'go downhill' 是口語中最自然的說法，帶有逐漸下滑的意象，例如 'After the CEO left, the company went downhill.'（執行長離開後，公司就開始走下坡）。'decline' 比較正式，可用於經濟、健康、品質等方面，例如 'His health declined noticeably after surgery.'（術後他的健康明顯衰退）。'deteriorate' 語氣最強，常指逐漸且嚴重的惡化，多用於醫療、建築、關係等領域，例如 'The building's condition deteriorated over decades of neglect.'（因數十年無人維護，建築狀況日益惡化）。'worsen' 是直接中性的動詞，可以用在任何場合，例如 'The traffic situation worsened during the holiday.'（假期間交通更加惡化）。'slide' 強調不知不覺地變差，例如 'Her grades began to slide after she missed several classes.'（缺了幾堂課後，她的成績開始下滑）。

decline ↗deteriorate ↗worsen ↗slide ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • go downhill
  • head downhill
  • roll downhill
  • race downhill
  • path downhill
  • slope downhill
  • trail downhill

Adverbs

  • steeply downhill
  • rapidly downhill
  • gently downhill
  • steadily downhill

Phrases

  • all downhill from here
  • on the downhill side
  • the downhill stretch

Prepositions

  • downhill from
  • downhill toward
  • downhill into

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'downhill' formed in late Middle English (around the 15th century) from a combination of 'down' (from Old English 'dūne', a shortened form of 'adūne', meaning 'downward' or 'from a height') and 'hill' (from Old English 'hyll', meaning 'a natural elevation of ground'). Originally used as an adverb describing literal movement, it developed figurative uses by the 19th century for describing declining fortunes or worsening conditions.