"Akusen-kutō悪戦苦闘" means struggling desperately against difficult circumstances - fighting hard but having trouble. It describes that frustrating situation where you're giving your all but still barely making progress. EX. 「この日本語（にほんご）の宿題（しゅくだい）に悪戦苦闘（あくせんくとう）してる！」 "I'm struggling with this Japanese homework!"