be whipping boy (verb) run the gauntlet: go through an ordeal
Sinonime: advancement, amelioration,
betterment, boost,
break*,
breakthrough, buildup, development, enrichment, furtherance, gain, go-ahead,
growth, headway, increase, progress,
promotion, rise,
step,
up,
upgrade, upping
Antonime: block,
failure,
impediment,
recession,
stagnation