hurdle to cross

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hurdle to cross" is correct and is often used in written English to describe a difficulty or obstacle that must be overcome.
For example: "The next challenge was a major hurdle to cross, but the team worked hard and eventually overcame it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It has a much higher hurdle to cross".

The New York Times

Northern Ireland has another major hurdle to cross on the long road to lasting peace.

The New York Times

"It's clearly not a difficult hurdle to cross, when producers put their mind to it, they come up with fantastic content.

The Guardian

For now, the candidates have one more official hurdle to cross before they are formally placed on the ballot: the Elections Complaints Commission.

The New York Times

Films like "Changeling," starring Angelina Jolie as a mother in search of her kidnapped son, and "The Soloist," featuring Jamie Foxx as a homeless musician, may have an extra hurdle to cross.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, some of the people who were drawn into Choudary's orbit and subsequently groomed or recruited by jihadist networks will, thanks to his absence, have a new hurdle to cross.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But there are more hurdles to cross before the presidents can meet.

The Economist

But Vornado still has hurdles to cross, and if the project advances, it would not be the first to hold a groundbreaking at the site.

The New York Times

Or rather restart: an earlier attempt ground to a halt five years ago, when the Brazilian courts detected financial irregularities.There are bureaucratic hurdles to cross too.

The Economist

There are a lot of hurdles to cross when companies move from start-up to growth, including dealing with chaos and changes in culture.

The New York Times

But there may be significant hurdles to cross before Dr. Karasick's vision of shopping's future can be realized, hurdles that may be more difficult to overcome than any barrier in technology or finance.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hurdle to cross" when referring to a specific challenge or obstacle that needs to be overcome in order to achieve a goal. Ensure the context clearly indicates what actions are required to overcome the "hurdle to cross".

Common error

Avoid using "hurdle to cross" in situations where the challenge is ill-defined or the path to overcoming it is unclear. Overusing the phrase without specific details can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hurdle to cross" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific obstacle or challenge that needs to be overcome. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, highlighting a difficulty that must be addressed. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and describes a difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

TechCrunch

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hurdle to cross" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for describing a challenge or obstacle that needs to be overcome. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is categorized as uncommon. Predominantly found in news and media, tech, and science contexts, the phrase serves to highlight a specific difficulty and the need for strategic action. For alternatives, consider "hurdle to overcome" or "difficulty to cross". When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and the challenge is well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurdle to overcome

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the act of successfully dealing with the obstacle.

hurdle to pass

Emphasizes a formal requirement or test that must be satisfied.

barrier to cross

Indicates a more substantial or imposing obstacle.

difficulty to cross

Highlights the challenging nature of the obstacle.

threshold to cross

Highlights a specific point or level that must be exceeded or attained.

problem to cross

Focuses on a specific issue that must be resolved.

course to cross

Emphasizes a path or direction that needs to be traversed, implying a journey with potential obstacles.

deterrent to cross

Highlights something that discourages or prevents progress.

limitation to cross

Focuses on a restriction or boundary that needs to be overcome.

threat to cross

Suggests danger or risk associated with proceeding further.

FAQs

How can I use "hurdle to cross" in a sentence?

You can use "hurdle to cross" to describe a challenge or obstacle that needs to be overcome. For instance, "Securing funding was the biggest "hurdle to cross" for the startup."

What can I say instead of "hurdle to cross"?

You can use alternatives like "hurdle to overcome", "difficulty to cross", or "challenge to cross" depending on the context.

Is "hurdle to cross" the same as "barrier to entry"?

"Hurdle to cross" generally refers to a specific obstacle in a process, while "barrier to entry" refers to obstacles that prevent new competitors from entering a market or field. They are similar but have distinct contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "hurdle to cross" in formal writing?

It's appropriate to use "hurdle to cross" in formal writing when discussing challenges or obstacles that need to be overcome to achieve a specific objective. Ensure the tone and context align with the level of formality required.