hurdle
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.one of the frames that runners or horses jump over during a race.
n.a portable frame or barrier used as an obstacle in track and field or equestrian racing.
Simple“The runner tripped on the final hurdle but still managed to finish the race.”
In context“The athlete's technique over the high hurdles was flawless, maintaining a low center of gravity to minimize time spent in the air.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a problem or difficulty that you must deal with before you can succeed.
n.a metaphorical obstacle or difficulty that must be addressed or overcome to achieve a goal.
Simple“The biggest hurdle to starting the business was finding enough money.”
In context“Securing the necessary building permits proved to be the final administrative hurdle before construction could officially begin on the new wing.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to successfully deal with a difficult problem.
v.to successfully surmount or overcome a figurative obstacle.
Simple“The team hurdled every challenge the project threw at them.”
In context“Having hurdled the initial skepticism of the board, the CEO was finally able to implement the restructuring plan.”
“And then, over the weekend, when the new tariffs struck, Seevers saw another hurdle appear.”
] From Middle English hurdel, hirdel, herdel, hyrdel, from Old English hyrdel (“frame of intertwined twigs used as a temporary barrier”), diminutive of hyrd, from Proto-Germanic hurdiz, from Pre-Germanic kr̥h₂tis, from Proto-Indo-European kreh₂-. Cognate with Dutch horde, German Hürde.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.