struggle

• Against all odds

  Succeeding or happening despite extremely unfavorable circumstances or a very low chance of success.

• An uphill battle

  A very difficult struggle or challenge that requires great effort and is unlikely to succeed without significant exertion.

• Keep your head above water

  To manage to survive or stay out of serious difficulty, especially financially, in a challenging situation.

• Light at the end of the tunnel

  A sign of impending relief or hope after a long period of hardship or difficulty.

• hit rock bottom

  To reach the lowest possible point in a difficult or unfortunate situation, often a crisis from which recovery can begin.

• Put up a good fight

  To resist strongly and courageously against an opponent or a challenging situation, even when the odds of success are low.

• Bang your head against a brick wall

  To engage in a hopeless and frustrating effort with no prospect of success.

• Tooth and nail

  To fight with extreme determination and ferocity, using every available means.

• Lose heart

  To become discouraged or lose one's resolve and motivation, especially when faced with difficulties or setbacks.

• Back to the wall

  To be in a dire situation where all options for retreat or escape are exhausted, forcing one to confront a challenge with full effort.

• Against overwhelming odds

  To attempt or succeed at something despite having an extremely low probability of success.

• Against the tide

  To act or succeed in opposition to a prevailing trend, popular opinion, or strong opposing force.

• In the face of adversity

  To confront and deal with difficult or challenging circumstances with courage and resilience.

• It's a lost cause

  A situation or struggle that has no chance of success and is therefore pointless to continue.

• Swimming upstream

  To deliberately go against prevailing trends, popular opinion, or the natural course of events, often facing significant difficulty and opposition.

• Against great odds

  To succeed or achieve something despite facing extremely difficult and improbable circumstances.

• Up against it

  To be facing severe difficulties, opposition, or a challenging situation with limited resources or options.