sticking point
A disputed issue or state of affairs that causes an interruption or outright impasse in progress towards some goal or resolution, especially in negotiation or argumentation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Money is always the sticking point in our talks.”
“The contract looked good until salary became the sticking point that stopped everything.”
“For weeks the negotiations had proceeded smoothly, but intellectual property rights emerged as the final sticking point that neither side would concede.”
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all points of the compass
Every direction; everywhere.
- 02
beat off with a stick
To reject (a person making an unwanted amorous approach).
- 03
beat with the ugly stick
Used to describe someone who is particularly ugly or unattractive.
- 04
beside the point
Irrelevant, moot.
- 05
boiling point
The state of being heated, with high aggression.
- 06
brownie point
Credit or praise for good work or a good deed, often for the express purpose of currying favor.
- 07
carrot and stick
The simultaneous rewarding of good behavior and punishing of bad behavior.
- 08
clue stick
A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.
Last updated August 10, 2026