hurdle
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
An upright frame that athletes jump over in a race; a portable rectangular frame used as a temporary fence.
A difficult problem or obstacle that must be overcome.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word maintains the core sense of a physical barrier/obstacle across both literal (sports, agriculture) and figurative (challenges) contexts. It suggests a temporary, surmountable barrier rather than an insurmountable one.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and phonetic pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency; slightly more common in UK English due to the popularity of athletics (hurdles events) and show jumping.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to hurdle somethingto clear a hurdleto be a hurdle for/to someoneto face/overcome/get over a hurdleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the last/final hurdle”
- “hurdle race”
- “to take something in one's stride/hurdle”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to regulatory, financial, or logistical obstacles a project must overcome. 'Securing funding was the biggest hurdle for the startup.'
Academic
Used metaphorically for methodological or conceptual challenges in research. 'The study's main hurdle was recruiting enough participants.'
Everyday
Describes any personal or practical challenge. 'Getting a visa was a real hurdle for our holiday plans.'
Technical
In athletics, refers to the equipment and the event. In project management, a milestone or gated requirement.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She hurdled the fence gracefully.
- The company hurdled the regulatory issue with ease.
- He had to hurdle several barriers to get the permit.
American English
- The runner hurdled the last obstacle cleanly.
- They managed to hurdle the legal challenge.
- She hurdled over the fallen log on the trail.
adjective
British English
- The hurdle event starts at 3pm.
- We faced a hurdle-filled path to approval.
- He is a champion hurdle runner.
American English
- She trained for the hurdle race all season.
- It was a hurdle-intensive development phase.
- The project's hurdle rate was set at 15%.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The runner jumped over the hurdle.
- There is a small hurdle in the garden.
- Finding a job was her first big hurdle.
- The final hurdle in the race is the hardest.
- Overcoming the language barrier was a significant hurdle for the immigrants.
- The legislation still has several political hurdles to clear.
- The team surmounted countless bureaucratic hurdles to launch the initiative.
- His innovative approach allowed him to hurdle traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HURT leg after hitting a HURDLE during a race. The sound links the obstacle to a minor injury from failing to clear it.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A RACE / PROBLEMS ARE PHYSICAL OBSTACLES (e.g., 'clearing the next hurdle in negotiations').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'барьер' when it implies a permanent wall or ideological barrier. 'Hurdle' is more temporary and surmountable. Also, do not confuse with 'препятствие' in its most abstract sense; 'hurdle' often implies a sequential challenge among others.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hurdle' as a synonym for 'wall' or 'blockade' (too permanent). Incorrectly using it as a verb for general overcoming ('They hurdled the problem' is less common than 'They overcame the hurdle.').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hurdle' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its literal origin is in track and field and farming, its most common use today is metaphorical, meaning any obstacle or challenge.
Yes, it can be used literally ('to hurdle a fence') or metaphorically ('to hurdle a problem'), though the metaphorical verb use is less frequent than the noun.
A 'hurdle' specifically conceptualizes a problem as a barrier that must be overcome, often as part of a sequence or process toward a goal. A 'problem' is more general.
A common error is confusing it with 'hurdle' (a frame) and 'hurtle' (to move at great speed). They are homophones but have very different meanings.
Explore