stumbling block
C1Neutral to formal. Used more often in written and professional contexts than in casual conversation.
Definition
Meaning
An obstacle or impediment that prevents progress or success.
A figurative obstacle, typically a problem, disagreement, or point of difficulty that hinders a process, plan, or relationship. It often refers to a specific, unexpected issue that causes a halt.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It is a countable noun (plural: stumbling blocks). The term is metaphorical, comparing a problem to a physical object one trips over. It implies the obstacle is not necessarily insurmountable but is a significant, discrete hindrance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. The compound noun form is standard in both.
Connotations
Neutral in both; it describes a problem without inherent emotional charge.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, perhaps slightly more common in British formal/professional writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[stumbling block] to [noun/noun phrase][verb] a stumbling blockVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The licensing agreement proved to be the main stumbling block in the merger talks.
Academic
The researcher identified methodological inconsistencies as a key stumbling block for replication studies.
Everyday
Finding a time that suits everyone is often the biggest stumbling block to organising a reunion.
Technical
Signal interference became a major stumbling block for the early deployment of the wireless network.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new regulations could stumble block the development process.
- His stubbornness tends to stumble block any compromise.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cost was a stumbling block for our holiday plans.
- Her lack of experience is a stumbling block for the job.
- The main stumbling block in the negotiations is intellectual property rights.
- We've overcome several stumbling blocks already in this project.
- The treaty's ratification faced a formidable stumbling block in the form of parliamentary dissent.
- Philosophical disagreements about the study's aims remained the primary stumbling block to a collaborative framework.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture yourself walking toward a goal, but there's a literal BLOCK on the path. You STUMBLE over it. A 'stumbling block' is that thing—not a wall, but a block—that trips up your progress.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY / DIFFICULTIES ARE IMPEDIMENTS TO MOTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid a direct calque like *'спотыкающийся блок'*. The correct equivalent is 'препятствие', 'помеха', or 'камень преткновения' (a closer idiom).
- Do not confuse with 'stammering block' or 'tumbling block'. The word is 'stumble' (спотыкаться).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'We faced stumbling block'). Correct: 'We faced a stumbling block'.
- Misspelling as 'stumble block' or 'stumblingblock' (should be a hyphenated or open compound).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stumbling block' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically for significant, discrete problems that halt progress. It's not used for minor, trivial inconveniences.
Rarely. It inherently describes a negative obstacle. One might speak of 'overcoming' or 'removing' a stumbling block, which is positive, but the term itself is neutral-negative.
A 'stumbling block' is a specific, present obstacle causing a halt. A 'setback' is a reversal or check in progress, which may involve delay but not necessarily a complete stop. A setback can be the result of a stumbling block.
It is commonly found as an open compound ('stumbling block') or hyphenated ('stumbling-block'). Both are acceptable, with the open form being more prevalent in modern usage. It is not a single word.