a pitfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pitfall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty in a particular situation or context. Example: "When starting a new business, it's important to be aware of potential pitfalls that could hinder your success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's a pitfall".

The New York Times - Sports

Many a pitfall lies between the talent and fulfillment.

The New York Times - Sports

Yes, that's a pitfall but I think we've avoided it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Self-incrimination is a pitfall when artists share their process.

The New York Times - Arts

Keith and Oye responded that this is a pitfall to be avoided at all costs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"My son's incident was a pitfall of being 18," he said.

The New York Times

That brings up a pitfall of live spots: Because they are live, anything can happen.

The New York Times

This position has not so much been a badge of honour as a pitfall to avoid.

The Guardian - Sport

Telling not showing Lots of editors will state this as a pitfall for authors.

The Guardian

The organization apologized to the women, characterizing the mistake as a pitfall of live television.

The Guardian

Kennedy has also made a good decision regarding a pitfall of many highly sought pro prospects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like "avoid", "identify" or "fall into" to create natural-sounding collocations.

Common error

Avoid using "a pitfall" to describe a simple mistake. A pitfall implies a systemic or structural vulnerability that catches the unwary, whereas a mistake is often an isolated human error. Also, ensure you do not use it to refer to a literal hole in the ground unless you are writing about trap-building.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pitfall" functions as a countable noun phrase. In most contexts provided by Ludwig, it serves as a subject complement (e.g., "This is "a pitfall"") or a direct object within a sentence. It is frequently modified by prepositional phrases starting with "of" to specify the source of the danger, such as ""a pitfall" of the industry".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pitfall" is a highly effective linguistic tool for identifying hidden dangers and unsuspected difficulties. According to Ludwig AI, it is consistently used across authoritative sources including The New York Times, Harvard University and Nature. Whether you are providing professional advice or conducting a scientific analysis, using "a pitfall" helps you frame potential risks with precision. It is most frequently found in formal and neutral registers, often paired with verbs of avoidance or identification. By choosing this phrase over simpler terms like "<a href="/s/a+problem" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a problem", you imbue your writing with a sense of foresight and strategic awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a drawback

refers to a general disadvantage rather than a hidden danger

a trap

implies a situation from which it is difficult to escape

a stumbling block

suggests an obstacle that prevents progress

a hidden danger

explicitly states the lack of visibility of the threat

a snare

emphasizes the intentional or trapping nature of the risk

a hazard

implies a source of danger often found in physical or technical environments

a snag

usually refers to a minor or unexpected problem

a peril

carries a stronger connotation of serious or immediate danger

a hurdle

represents a difficulty that must be overcome to achieve success

a caveat

refers to a warning or specific condition rather than the risk itself

FAQs

How to use "a pitfall" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight potential risks, for example: "Overconfidence is often <a href="/s/a+pitfall" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a pitfall that leaders must learn to manage."

What can I say instead of "a pitfall"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/a+drawback" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a drawback", "<a href="/s/a+stumbling+block" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a stumbling block" or "<a href="/s/a+trap" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a trap".

What is the difference between "a pitfall" and "a drawback"?

While "<a href="/s/a+drawback" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a drawback" is a general disadvantage, "a pitfall" specifically suggests a hidden or unsuspected danger that one might unintentionally encounter.

Is "a pitfall" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in scholarly contexts. Ludwig examples show frequent usage in publications like Nature and journals from Harvard University to describe methodological risks.