hurdle

A problem or difficulty that you must deal with before you can succeed.

• Money is our biggest hurdle.
• They overcame several legal hurdles.
• Getting permission was the final hurdle before construction.

Similar words: obstacle, barrier, difficulty

Common phrases: overcome a hurdle, major hurdle, financial hurdle

A low barrier that runners or horses jump over in a race.

• She jumped over the hurdle.
• He knocked down two hurdles during the race.
• The horse cleared the final hurdle easily.

Similar words: barrier

Common phrases: jump a hurdle, clear a hurdle, first hurdle

Something that blocks your way or makes an action difficult.

• The fence was another hurdle in our path.
• Fear can become a hurdle to learning.
• They cleared every hurdle between them and their goal.

Similar words: obstacle, barrier

Common phrases: physical hurdle, unexpected hurdle, clear a hurdle

To jump over something, usually while running.

• She hurdled the fence.
• The runners hurdle each barrier without slowing down.
• Can you hurdle that fallen tree?

Similar words: jump over, leap over

Common phrases: hurdle a fence, hurdle a barrier

To successfully get past a problem or difficulty.

• We must hurdle this problem first.
• The team hurdled several financial obstacles.
• Can they hurdle the remaining legal barriers?

Similar words: overcome, surmount, clear

Common phrases: hurdle an obstacle, hurdle a problem, hurdle a barrier