a single hitch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single hitch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor problem or obstacle that occurs in a process or plan. Example: "Everything was going smoothly until we encountered a single hitch that delayed our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Carter told a briefing in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah: "The operation went without a single hitch.

The Guardian

Military commanders said the launch of Operation Moshtarak went "without a single hitch", with US-led airstrikes on Marjah, a town in the Helmand river valley where up to 1,000 Taliban fighters are thought to be holed up.

The Guardian

Message Transmission Enqueueing, dequeueing and encapsulating a single Hitch Hiker packet within a host frame requires on average of 12.27 mJ, while a standard frame transmission using CX-MAC requires 21.41 mJ, a saving of 57.4 % compared to standard transmission.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

WatchMouse, which also publishes API statuses in real time at API-Status.com, found that ten of them performed without a single hitch between February 16th to March 17th, including goo.gl, Quora, eBay, Google Maps and Basecamp.

TechCrunch

By the third night, the London Figaro could report: "I must say that not a single hitch in the performance is now to be perceived, and that the applause and evident delight of the audience from beginning to end, the piece occupying a space of time within two hours".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Changes in a single parameter, called the hitch cornering stiffness, can capture the various implement configurations.

Journal of Terramechanics

Since this mode of Hitch Hiker operate with a single network manager, the creation of Hitch Hiker bindings require binding meta data from the entire application network.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

But there's a hitch: Because a single input wire crosses several output wires, it can trigger multiple pulses simultaneously--not what is wanted for computations.

Science Magazine

Whether you're looking for a summer fling or something more, this Q&A provides dating and sex tips from both a married male dating coach (who refers to himself as "Hitch") and a single gal sex columnist who dances til dawn and has her social calendar booked for weeks (that's me, so I'll stop talking about myself in the third person now).

Huffington Post

Hitch Hiker uses a single meta manager in infrastructure mode for the creation of data aggregation overlay, which is a major restriction.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

They were unwilling to hitch their future to a single customer, especially a slow-moving one synonymous with red tape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a single hitch" to describe a minor issue or obstacle that doesn't significantly derail a plan or process. It's best suited for situations where the overall outcome remains positive despite the small problem.

Common error

Avoid using "a single hitch" to describe major problems or critical failures. This phrase downplays the seriousness of the situation, potentially misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single hitch" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a preposition (e.g., "without"). It identifies a specific, usually minor, problem or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a single hitch" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to a minor problem or obstacle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, though it can also appear in science and wiki sources. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it serves the purpose of acknowledging a small issue without overstating its severity. Consider alternatives like "a minor setback" or "a slight snag" for variety, but remember that "a single hitch" is well-suited for downplaying minor imperfections in otherwise successful situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor setback

Replaces "hitch" with "setback", emphasizing a temporary delay or problem.

a slight snag

Uses "snag" instead of "hitch", suggesting a small, unexpected difficulty.

a small hiccup

Replaces "hitch" with "hiccup", suggesting a brief and minor disruption.

a small impediment

Replaces "hitch" with "impediment", indicating something that hinders progress.

a slight complication

Uses "complication" to indicate a factor that makes something more difficult.

a minor difficulty

Uses more general terms to describe a small problem.

a trivial problem

Emphasizes the insignificance of the issue.

a fleeting issue

Highlights the temporary nature of the problem.

a minor inconvenience

Focuses on the troublesome aspect of the situation.

a negligible obstacle

Highlights the minimal impact of the hurdle.

FAQs

How can I use "a single hitch" in a sentence?

You can use "a single hitch" to describe a situation where everything went smoothly except for one minor problem. For example, "The project launch went without "a single hitch"."

What can I say instead of "a single hitch"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor setback", "a slight snag", or "a small impediment" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a single hitch"?

The phrase "a single hitch" is appropriate when you want to downplay a minor problem, typically when the overall process or event was successful. Be mindful not to use it if the issue was actually significant.

Is it grammatically correct to say "without a hitch"?

Yes, "without a hitch" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiom. It means that something happened without any problems.