To be all downhill

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Rob
And hello I ‘m Rob.

Feifei
You’re looking pleased with yourself, Rob.

Rob
I am! I’ve finished all of my work.

Feifei
Really. All of it?

Rob
Yes. Scripts written, programmes recorded and edited, meetings cancelled - I think I deserve a cup of coffee… or maybe something stronger!

Feifei
But it’s only Wednesday and you’ve done all of your work! So what does that mean?

Rob
It means it’s all downhill to the weekend.

Feifei
All downhill? Oh I get it! When you are going downhill, on a bike for example, it’s easy. So when things are about to get easier, after a difficult or challenging time, we can describe the situation as being ‘all downhill’.

Rob
Spot on, Feifei. Once we’ve heard some examples, it’s going to be all downhill until pub time!

Examples
Yeah! Our building plans have been approved. It’s all downhill from here on.

Once I’ve completed this final assignment, it’ll be all downhill until I get my qualification.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. And I’m with Rob, who’s done all of his work and says it’s going to be all downhill until the weekend - that is, things are going to be easy. But, Rob, I have a question.

Rob
Oh yes?

Feifei
The phrase ‘to be all downhill’ isn’t always used in a positive situation. Sometimes it is used to describe situations that get worse. Such as …

Example
The film’s opening scene was amazing, but it was all downhill after that - there was no story and the acting was appalling!

Rob
Feifei are you absolutely sure about this?

Feifei
Yes, it’s true - and your week is definitely going to be all downhill.

Rob
In a bad way, I suppose?

Feifei
Yep. Neil’s just gone off sick and you’ve got to do all his work now.

Rob
Crikey! This script for this programme has suddenly gone downhill.

Feifei
You had better save that drink for later. See ya.

Rob
Bye.