a passo d'elefante

Italian edit

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see passo,‎ elefante.
clumsily, inelegantly, or inharmoniously (of walking)
camminare a passo d'elefante ― to walk clumsily
slowly (of making progress)
stava lavorando a passo d'elefante
he was slowly making progress on his work
(approaching) slowly but surely (of an unpleasant situation)
quell'esame ti arriva a passo d'elefante
that exam will come to you slowly but surely