hitch

A problem that causes a delay or makes something harder to do.

• There was a small hitch.
• The wedding went ahead without a hitch.
• Technical hitches delayed the start of the show.

Similar words: problem, snag, difficulty

Common phrases: without a hitch, technical hitch, minor hitch

A part that connects a trailer to the vehicle pulling it.

• The truck has a trailer hitch.
• Check the hitch before you start driving.
• We attached the boat trailer to the car’s hitch.

Similar words: coupling, tow coupling

Common phrases: trailer hitch, tow hitch, attach the hitch

A hidden condition or problem that makes an offer less good than it seems.

• The offer has a hitch.
• The hitch is that you must pay a joining fee.
• We found a hidden hitch in the contract.

Similar words: catch, drawback, snag

Common phrases: a hidden hitch, what’s the hitch, hitch in something

To fasten one thing to another, often so it can be pulled.

• We hitched the trailer to the car.
• Hitch the horse to the cart.
• Have you hitched the wagon securely?

How to use it: hitch something to something (She hitched the cart to her bicycle.)

Similar words: attach, fasten

Opposites: detach

Common phrases: hitch a trailer, hitch something to something

To move something by giving it a quick, sudden pull, usually upward.

• He hitched up his trousers.
• She hitched her bag higher on her shoulder.
• Hitch up your shorts before you start running.

How to use it: hitch something up (He hitched his trousers up before climbing the ladder.); hitch up something (She hitched up her skirt to cross the stream.)

Similar words: pull up, jerk

Common phrases: hitch up trousers, hitch something up, hitch up something

If you get hitched, you get married.

• They got hitched last summer.
• Are you two getting hitched soon?
• My brother wants to get hitched abroad.

How to use it: get hitched (They got hitched in June.)

Similar words: marry

Common phrases: get hitch, hitch oneself to someone

To move or continue unevenly, with sudden stops or small jerks.

• Her breath hitched.
• His breathing hitched as he began to cry.
• The injured man hitched along the path.

Similar words: jerk, falter

Common phrases: breath hitch, hitch slightly