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obstacle course

B1
UK/ˈɒbstək(ə)l kɔːs/US/ˈɑːbstək(ə)l kɔːrs/

Neutral

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Definition

Meaning

A path or area filled with physical barriers that must be overcome, typically as a challenge, test, or training exercise.

Any difficult process or situation that involves a series of problems or barriers to be dealt with successively.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The phrase retains its literal meaning of a physical training setup but is often used metaphorically to describe bureaucratic, professional, or personal challenges.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No major lexical differences; spelling of 'course' is consistent. Both varieties use the term equally in literal and figurative contexts.

Connotations

In British English, might be slightly more associated with military/outdoor training; in American English, also strongly associated with children's parties and competitive game shows.

Frequency

Equally common in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
navigate an obstacle coursecomplete an obstacle courseset up an obstacle coursemilitary obstacle course
medium
tough obstacle coursechallenging obstacle courserun through an obstacle courseface an obstacle course
weak
little obstacle courseindoor obstacle coursesuccessful obstacle coursefun obstacle course

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Subject] + face/encounter + an obstacle course + [of something][Subject] + navigate/complete + the obstacle courseIt + be + an obstacle course + [to-infinitive]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

assault course (more specific, often military)tough circuit

Neutral

challenge courseassault coursetraining course

Weak

difficult pathseries of challenges

Vocabulary

Antonyms

clear pathstraightforward processsmooth sailingopen road

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Life is an obstacle course”
  • “A bureaucratic obstacle course”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Getting approval for the project was a real obstacle course of meetings and paperwork.

Academic

The peer-review process can sometimes feel like an intellectual obstacle course.

Everyday

Ikea on a Saturday is like a giant obstacle course for parents.

Technical

The rover had to navigate a natural obstacle course of boulders and craters.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The team was obstacle-coursing through the muddy field.
  • They spent the afternoon obstacle-coursing.

American English

  • We're gonna obstacle-course our way through this red tape.
  • The kids love obstacle-coursing in the backyard.

adverb

British English

  • They proceeded obstacle-coursely through the regulations.
  • (Rarely used)

American English

  • We moved obstacle-coursely through the crowded mall.
  • (Rarely used)

adjective

British English

  • It was an obstacle-course experience from start to finish.
  • He has an obstacle-course mentality, always looking for the next challenge.

American English

  • The obstacle-course design of the office layout is inefficient.
  • She faced an obstacle-course journey to get her visa.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • The children played on the obstacle course in the park.
  • There is a small obstacle course at the school.
B1
  • Completing the army obstacle course was very difficult.
  • The new rules created an obstacle course for small businesses.
B2
  • Navigating the visa application process felt like running a complex bureaucratic obstacle course.
  • The entrepreneur treated every setback as just another hurdle in the obstacle course to success.
C1
  • The bill's passage through committee was a veritable political obstacle course, fraught with partisan amendments and procedural delays.
  • Her research proposal had to negotiate an obstacle course of ethical reviews, funding panels, and methodological critiques before receiving approval.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

OBSTACLE COURSE: Imagine an OBSTACLE (a big rock) in the middle of your golf COURSE. You can't play properly until you move it. Life's problems are like rocks on your path.

Conceptual Metaphor

LIFE/DIFFICULT PROCESSES ARE PHYSICAL OBSTACLE COURSES.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not translate as 'курс препятствий' in all contexts. The Russian 'полоса препятствий' is more literal/military. For figurative use, consider 'череда трудностей' or 'испытание на прочность'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'obstacle' without 'course' when referring to the full series (e.g., 'We built an obstacle' instead of '...an obstacle course').
  • Confusing 'obstacle course' with 'obstacle race' (the latter focuses on the competitive event).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Getting a licence in this city is a real of forms and inspections.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'obstacle course' in modern usage?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

An 'assault course' is a specific, often more intense and military-style version of an obstacle course. 'Obstacle course' is the broader, more general term.

Yes, informally, especially in contexts like team-building or descriptive narratives (e.g., 'We obstacle-coursed our way through the jungle of regulations'). It is not standard in formal writing.

It is very commonly used both ways. The figurative use (describing a difficult process) is extremely frequent in news, business, and everyday conversation.

For the figurative sense, 'gauntlet', 'series of hurdles', 'arduous process', or 'bureaucratic maze' can be good synonyms depending on the context.