Happy International Mountain Day, everyone! On December 11, we celebrate the vital role mountains play in our lives and ecosystems. To honor this occasion, let’s explore the captivating world of English idioms inspired by these majestic peaks. We’ll also clarify the distinction between mountain and mount, and delve into the nuances of using articles with mountain names. Join us as we ascend into the rich language and meaning behind mountain-related expressions!

Familiarize yourself with the idioms in the table below, and then complete the practical exercise that follows.

Idiom	Meaning	Example
to make a mountain out of a molehill	to exaggerate a minor issue	She made a mountain out of a molehill when she got upset over a small mistake.
to have a mountain to climb	to be facing a very difficult task	We have a mountain to climb, but I am looking forward to the challenge
to be (caught) between a rock and a hard place	to be in a very difficult situation and to have to make a hard decision	I was between a rock and a hard place when both jobs offered great opportunities.
the tip of the iceberg	a small, visible part of a larger problem	What you see in that report is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the company’s financial issues.
to move mountains	to achieve something that seems impossible	With her determination, she felt she could move mountains to help her community.
to be all downhill from here	to be easier or less challenging after a difficult period	After finishing the project, it should be downhill from here.
a slippery slope	a course of action likely to lead to something bad or disastrous	He is on the slippery slope towards a life of crime.
to fall off a cliff	to suddenly and quickly reduce or become less successful	The new business has fallen off a cliff.
to be over the hill (often humorous)	to be aging, no longer able to do something well because of that	I don’t think of myself as being over the hill yet.
as old as the hills	very old; ancient	This tradition is as old as hills, passed down through generations.
an uphill battle	a difficult task that requires a lot of effort	Starting a new business is often an uphill battle, especially in a competitive market.
new heights	more success or improvement than ever before	Our athletes have reached new heights of sporting glory.
to peak too soon	to reach success or performance levels too early, often leading to a decline	The team peaked too soon in the tournament and struggled in the final matches.
on the rocks	in serious trouble or experiencing difficulties, especially in a relationship	Their marriage was on the rocks after years of unresolved conflicts.
to be pushing a boulder up a mountain	to be engaging in a very difficult or seemingly futile task	Trying to change his mind felt like pushing a boulder up a mountain.

Practice

Click the link here and complete the sentences with the right words.

Figurative Language

Figurative language is the use of words or expressions whose meaning is different from the literal interpretation. As you may have noticed, mountain-related words like peak, climb, and summit are often used to convey challenges, achievements, or aspirations. This usage is at the core of the idiomatic expressions we’ve learned.

In fact, idioms are a common type of figurative language (others include onomatopoeia, hyperbole, etc.). Back to the mountains. The figurative use of words like peak and summit stems from the inherent characteristics of mountains—such as their height, difficulty to scale, and the effort required to reach their summits—which makes them powerful metaphors for life’s challenges and goals. For example: 1) She reached the peak of her career when she became CEO. 2) Getting through school was a long climb, but it was worth it. 3) They finally reached the summit of their negotiations. 4) I have a mountain of laundry to fold.

Mountain vs. Mount

Although the words mount and mountain are related, they have distinct meanings and uses. A mountain is a raised part of the earth’s surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow. The word mount is used as part of a mountain’s name. Examples:

Mountain	Mount
The Andes Mountain Range stretches across several countries in South America.	They climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last summer.
We spent the day hiking in the mountain to enjoy the beautiful views.	Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
After hours of climbing, they finally reached the mountain’s summit.	Mount Fuji is visible from Tokyo on clear days, offering a stunning backdrop to the city’s skyline.
The mountain was covered in snow, making it look like a winter wonderland.	Tourists from around the world visit Mount Rushmore to see the monumental sculptures.

The vs. Zero Article

When referring to a mountain range (a series of mountains), we generally use “the” because it refers to a collective or specific geographical region: The Andes Mountain Range stretches across several countries in South America.

When referring to an individual mountain by name (without a range), “the” is not typically used. You simply use the name of the mountain by itself: They climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last summer.

Are there mountains in your country? What are they called, and what’s the highest peak? Do you enjoy being in the mountains? Be sure to comment below. ⛰