sticking-point

A screwdriver cannot turn the sticking-point in the old wooden board.

Definition

Noun: - A point at which progress is blocked: "sticking-point" refers to a specific issue or obstacle that prevents further advancement in a negotiation, discussion, or process.

Usage Examples

• (The salary issue was the obstacle that halted progress.)
• (The deadline is the unresolved issue blocking agreement.)
• (The funding shortage prevents the project from moving forward.)

Advanced Usage

• "to reach a sticking-point": to arrive at a point where progress stops due to an unresolved issue.

  • The talks reached a sticking-point when neither side would compromise. (The discussions stalled over a specific disagreement.)

• "to overcome a sticking-point": to resolve the obstacle and continue progress.

  • They finally overcame the sticking-point by agreeing to a trial period. (They solved the blocking issue through compromise.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stick (verb): to become fixed or jammed; to be unable to move.
  • The drawer sticks when you try to open it. (The drawer jams.)
• Sticky (adj): difficult to deal with; problematic.
  • This is a sticky situation. (This is a tricky problem.)

Synonyms

• Hurdle: an obstacle or difficulty to be overcome.
  • The main hurdle is finding enough volunteers. (Hurdle is a synonym for sticking-point.)
• Impediment: something that delays or blocks progress.
  • Lack of experience is an impediment to his promotion. (Impediment is a synonym for sticking-point.)
• Obstacle: something that stands in the way.
  • The language barrier was an obstacle to communication. (Obstacle is a synonym for sticking-point.)

Related Idioms

• Stick in one's craw: to be something difficult to accept or tolerate.
  • The new policy sticks in his craw. (He finds the policy hard to accept.)
• Stick to one's guns: to maintain one's position firmly.
  • She stuck to her guns during the debate. (She refused to change her opinion.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Stick with: to continue with something despite difficulties.
  • We should stick with the original plan. (We should persist with the plan.)
• Stick out: to be noticeable or to endure.
  • The problem sticks out as the main issue. (The problem is clearly visible.)