pitfall

/'pitfɔ:l/

Thân thiện

A hiker carefully avoids a hidden pitfall on the forest trail.

Definition

Noun: 1. A trap in the form of a concealed hole: A literal hidden pit dug to capture animals or people. 2. An unforeseen or unexpected difficulty: A hidden danger, problem, or mistake that one might encounter, often in a process or undertaking.

Usage Examples

• Literal Meaning (Concealed Hole):
  • Hunters in ancient times would dig pitfalls to catch large animals.
  • The jungle path was dangerous, with many hidden pitfalls.
• Figurative Meaning (Hidden Difficulty):
  • One common pitfall for new investors is putting all their money into a single stock.
  • The contract seemed simple, but our lawyer pointed out several legal pitfalls.
  • A major pitfall of learning a language without a teacher is developing bad pronunciation habits.

Advanced Usage

• "to avoid the pitfalls of (something)": To steer clear of the common hidden problems associated with a particular activity.
  • This guide will help you avoid the pitfalls of starting your own business.
• "fraught with pitfalls": Describes a situation or process that is full of hidden dangers or problems.
  • Negotiating the merger was a process fraught with pitfalls.

Variants and Related Words

• Pitfall trap (n): A specific type of trap consisting of a container sunk into the ground, used by entomologists to catch insects.
• Pitfalled (adj, rare): Describing an area containing pitfalls. (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Trap: A device or scheme for catching someone or something.
• Hazard: A danger or risk.
• Snare: A trap for catching animals, often using a noose; also used figuratively.
• Difficulty: A thing that is hard to accomplish, deal with, or understand.
• Peril: Serious and immediate danger.

Related Phrases

• Hidden danger: A risk that is not immediately obvious.
• Unexpected obstacle: Something that blocks one's path or hinders progress, which was not anticipated.

Related Idioms

• "A stumbling block": An obstacle or difficulty that causes hesitation or failure.
  • While the budget was approved, the new regulations became a major stumbling block. (This is similar to a pitfall but implies something one trips over rather than falls into.)
• "A catch-22": A paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations. This is a specific, complex type of pitfall.
  • He needed experience to get the job, but he needed the job to get experience—a classic catch-22.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a trap in the form of a concealed hole
2. an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pit
• booby trap