face a hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

'face a hurdle' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of tackling a challenging obstacle in order to obtain a goal. For example: "In order to get ahead in his career, he had to face a hurdle by studying hard for the exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Twitter fans face a hurdle: Can you use it at work without being caught?

The New York Times

But with the Bush tax cuts scheduled to expire at year's end, the Republicans face a hurdle similar to the one that confronted Warner Brothers.

The New York Times

M&S could face a hurdle because cutting prices for hospital franchises and not for any of its other franchises may breach competition law.

Independent

Ms. Lichter said many families would still face a hurdle in coming up with the $585 application fee for the waiver.

The New York Times

Even the tentative plans face a hurdle, however, because the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission may designate the entire Close as a landmark.

The New York Times

Yet while there is no substitute for internal rapport, chamber music groups today face a hurdle that is seemingly peripheral to the art of making music: an increasingly saturated marketplace where matters of image, star quality and what a press agent would classify as "marketability" are of prime importance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Even so, Levi suggested that they still faced a hurdle with consumers.

The New York Times - Food

In the nineteen-forties, Virginia Woolf believed that women writers still faced a hurdle: telling the truth about the female body.

The New Yorker

But the mayor's plan faces a hurdle: Because the rebate is aimed at just one class of property owner, it requires approval from the State Legislature.

The New York Times

Even with the mobile tower, controllers faced a hurdle: how to transmit radar signals to the mobile tower from the radar control unit 1,000 feet away.

The New York Times - Tech

Lee Kuan Yew's solution for coalitions to stand against terrorism (Current Events, Dec. 26, 2005, p. 16) faces a hurdle.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "face a hurdle", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and significance of the obstacle being encountered. For instance, "The company faces a significant hurdle in securing funding for its new project" provides more clarity than simply stating "The company faces a hurdle."

Common error

Avoid using "face a hurdle" to describe minor inconveniences or easily resolvable issues. The phrase implies a significant challenge, and overusing it in trivial situations can dilute its impact. For example, saying "I faced a hurdle when I couldn't find my keys" is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face a hurdle" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of confronting or dealing with a significant obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "face a hurdle" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies encountering a significant challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While versatile, it's essential to use it appropriately, avoiding trivializing its meaning. Alternatives like "encounter an obstacle" or "confront a challenge" can offer nuanced variations. Predominantly found in news and media, "face a hurdle" serves as a concise way to convey the presence of obstacles requiring effort and determination to overcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter an obstacle

This alternative uses "obstacle" instead of "hurdle", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

confront a challenge

This option employs "challenge" in place of "hurdle", offering a slightly broader connotation of difficulty.

tackle an obstacle

This option suggests a direct and forceful approach to dealing with a barrier.

meet with difficulty

This phrase replaces "face a hurdle" with a more general expression of encountering difficulty.

run into a problem

This alternative uses the term "problem", which implies a more negative or undesirable situation than a "hurdle".

overcome an impediment

This phrase suggests a more significant obstacle requiring active effort to surpass.

grapple with an issue

This option emphasizes the struggle or effort involved in dealing with a problem.

contend with a setback

This alternative focuses on overcoming a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

navigate a difficulty

This phrase highlights the process of carefully maneuvering through a challenging situation.

deal with an adversity

This phrase emphasizes facing hardship or misfortune, suggesting a more severe challenge.

FAQs

What does "face a hurdle" mean?

"Face a hurdle" means to encounter a challenging obstacle or difficulty that must be overcome in order to achieve a goal. It implies that effort and determination are needed to succeed.

How can I use "face a hurdle" in a sentence?

You can use "face a hurdle" in sentences like, "The team will "encounter an obstacle" during the project's execution" or "The new law "presents a challenge" for small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "face a hurdle"?

Some alternatives to "face a hurdle" include "encounter an obstacle", "confront a challenge", or "overcome an impediment", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "facing a hurdle" instead of "face a hurdle"?

Yes, "facing a hurdle" is also correct. Both "face a hurdle" and "facing a hurdle" are grammatically sound and convey the same meaning, with the latter simply using the present participle form.