stumbling block
/ˈstʌmblɪŋ blɒk
/noun
A circumstance that causes difficulty or hesitation: the country’s water shortage was a stumbling block to investors...
- It is also true; the road leading to return of pandits to Kashmir is now laden with a lot of stumbling blocks and obstacles.
- A major stumbling block for many investors is dealing with the investments heading south.
- He knows there will be stumbling blocks, plenty of pitfalls awaiting.
Synonyms
obstacle, hurdle, barrier, bar, hindrance, impediment, handicap, disadvantage, restriction, limitation;
snag, hitch, catch, drawback, difficulty, problem, issue, weakness, defect, pitfall, complication
informal fly in the ointment, hiccup, facer
British informal spanner in the works
North American informal monkey wrench in the works