an unexpected obstacle

Meaning

1. 1phrasecountable

   A problem that appears suddenly and stops or slows your progress.

   Grammar: The whole phrase is countable: 'an unexpected obstacle', 'several unexpected obstacles'.

   Patterns

   • face an unexpected obstacle
   • run into an unexpected obstacle
   • an unexpected obstacle to something

   We ran into an unexpected obstacle when the main road was closed.

   Bad weather was an unexpected obstacle to finishing the project on time.

   She handled every unexpected obstacle with calm and patience.

Common combinations

face an unexpected obstacle

The team faced an unexpected obstacle in the final week.

run into an unexpected obstacle

We ran into an unexpected obstacle during the visa process.

overcome an unexpected obstacle

They overcame several unexpected obstacles to open the café.

an unexpected obstacle to progress

Funding cuts became an unexpected obstacle to progress.

hit an unexpected obstacle

The plan hit an unexpected obstacle almost immediately.

Synonyms and how they differ

setback

A 'setback' is a delay or reversal in progress; an 'obstacle' is something physically or practically in your way.

snag

'Snag' is informal and usually means a small, sudden problem, while 'obstacle' can be serious and long-lasting.

hurdle

A 'hurdle' is a difficulty you must get over to succeed, often expected; 'unexpected obstacle' stresses that it was not foreseen.

Opposites

Word family

obstacle noun

Any thing or situation that blocks progress.

unexpectedly adverb

In a way that was not expected.

Commonly confused: an unexpected obstacle or obstinate?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “an unexpected obstacle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words