subs. (old cant).—In pl. = dice loaded to cast high numbers: cf. LOWMEN (B. E. and GROSE).
Adj. (old colloquial).—Difficult, severe, AGAINST COLLAR (q.v.).—GROSE. Hence (2) = hampered.
1748. RICHARDSON, Clarissa, Sentiments, etc., Education. What an UPHILL labour must it be to a learner, who has those first rudiments to master at twenty years of age, which others are taught at ten!
1881. R. L. STEVENSON, Virginibus Puerisque, iv. These will be UPHILL intimacies, without charm or freedom, to the end.
1885. Daily Telegraph, 1 Sept. Our Government is engaged in a very UPHILL task.
