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Synonyms

over the hump

Idioms  

  1. Past the most difficult part, as in She's over the hump with her dissertation; she'll soon be done. This expression alludes to a barrier that impedes progress. [Colloquial; 1920s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

INDIANAPOLIS—For 37 years, Michigan basketball just couldn’t get over the hump.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“If the labor market is weakening, households are more dependent on the entirety of their refund to get them over the hump and allow them to continue their spending patterns,” Martin said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 4, 2025

Until he gets over the hump, Herbert’s lack of postseason success is the ultimate hurdle before he cracks the top echelon of quarterbacks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2025

Her portrayal of an aging aerobic television personality in the body-horror satire "The Substance" finally got her over the hump.

From Salon • Jan. 6, 2025

My car goes over the hump at the exit and my lights flash over the windows of the Chili Bowl across the street.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.