Phrase guide

heavy going

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Going (i.e. conditions) that are wet and muddy (difficult to gallop on)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Something that is boring; difficult to make progress on, or tedious

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • That report is heavy going.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From horse racing.