obstacle

/'ɔbstəkl/

Thân thiện

A runner jumps over an obstacle on the track.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A physical object that blocks or hinders movement: An obstacle is something material that is in your path and must be moved, climbed over, or gone around to continue.
   • A difficulty or problem that prevents progress or success: An obstacle is an abstract challenge, barrier, or condition that makes it hard to achieve something.

Examples of Usage

• Physical Obstacle:
  • The fallen tree was a major obstacle on the hiking trail.
  • Runners must jump over each obstacle in the race.
• Abstract Obstacle:
  • His fear of public speaking is an obstacle to his career.
  • The main obstacle to peace is a lack of trust between the two sides.

Advanced Usage

• "To pose an obstacle": To create or represent a difficulty.
  • The new regulations pose a significant obstacle to small businesses.
• "To overcome/surmount an obstacle": To successfully deal with and remove a difficulty.
  • The team worked hard to overcome every obstacle in the project.
• "Obstacle to + [noun/gerund]": Used to specify what is being hindered.
  • Bad weather is an obstacle to construction.
  • Pride can be an obstacle to learning.

Variants and Related Words

• Obstruct (verb): To block or get in the way of.
  • A parked car obstructed the entrance.
• Obstruction (noun): The act of obstructing or the thing that causes an obstruction.
  • The protest caused an obstruction of traffic.
• Obstructive (adjective): Causing deliberate obstruction or difficulty.
  • He was accused of being obstructive during the investigation.

Synonyms

• Barrier: Something that blocks movement or access.
• Hindrance: Something that provides resistance or delay.
• Impediment: Something that slows or interferes with progress.
• Hurdle: A problem or difficulty that must be dealt with (often suggests it can be overcome).

Related Phrases

• Obstacle course: A training course or race with various physical obstacles to navigate.
  • The soldiers trained on a difficult obstacle course.
• Obstacle race: A race in which competitors must overcome obstacles.

Idioms

• To be an obstacle in someone's path/way: To be a problem someone must deal with.
  • His negative attitude is an obstacle in the way of team success.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)
2. something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
   • lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement
   • the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education
   • the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan

Từ đồng nghĩa

• obstruction