pitfalls

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Hidden or unexpected problems or dangers that can catch you by surprise.

   Grammar: Countable and most often used in the plural: one pitfall, several pitfalls.

   Patterns

   • the pitfalls of something
   • avoid a pitfall
   • a common pitfall

   The book explains the pitfalls of investing in a new business.

   One of the biggest pitfalls of online shopping is paying for something you never receive.

   She warned us about the pitfalls of working with family members.

2. 2nouncountable

   A trap made as a hole in the ground, especially one used to catch animals.

   Grammar: Countable; in this literal sense it is usually singular or used with a number.

   Patterns

   • dig a pitfall
   • fall into a pitfall

   Hunters once dug pitfalls along the forest path.

   The animal fell into a pitfall and could not climb out.

Word forms

Common combinations

the pitfalls of success

The article describes the pitfalls of success for young athletes.

common pitfall

Forgetting to save your work is a common pitfall.

avoid the pitfalls

Good planning helps you avoid the pitfalls of a tight schedule.

fall into a pitfall

New writers often fall into the pitfall of using too many adjectives.

potential pitfalls

The team listed the potential pitfalls before starting the project.

Synonyms and how they differ

danger

Danger is a general word for harm; a pitfall is a specific hidden problem that is easy to miss.

trap

Trap suggests something set to catch you on purpose, while a pitfall can simply be an unnoticed risk.

hazard

Hazard is more formal and often used for physical risks, such as in workplaces.

Opposites

Word family

pitfall noun

The singular form, meaning one hidden danger or one animal trap.

Commonly confused: pitfalls or pitfall? pitfalls or pratfall?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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