struggle verb
1 try very hard to do sth
ADV. desperately, hard, manfully, painfully, really, valiantly He struggled desperately to get to the shore. He struggled hard to keep the boat upright. | a little | constantly | on She struggled on despite the pain.
VERB + STRUGGLE have to
PREP. against The small boat struggled against the waves. | along, down, for Shona struggled for breath. | through The family struggled through the next few years. | up They struggled up the hill. | with I'm really struggling with this essay.
PHRASES struggle to your feet She struggled to her feet and set off after him.
2 have great difficulties
ADV. badly The team struggled badly last season. | financially I was unemployed and struggling financially.
3 fight sb/try to get away from them
ADV. fiercely, furiously, violently She struggled furiously but could not get away. | together Ben and Jack struggled together on the grass.
PREP. against struggling against her attacker | with He was hit in the mouth as he struggled with the raiders.
PHRASES struggle free The attacker's victim managed to struggle free.