in the face of hurdles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the face of hurdles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is confronting challenges or obstacles. Example: "She demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of hurdles during her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Norwood's longtime mayor, Gus D'Ercole; a retired Coca-Cola Company engineer, Bill Evans; and several dozen volunteers recruited from town churches were unflagging in their efforts, even in the face of hurdles and setbacks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the five years since the Taliban captured the Afghan capital, Kabul, the clandestine trade has flourished in the face of numerous hurdles.

The New York Times

The trucks were to arrive in a matter of weeks, and, as inspiration in the face of such hurdles, the Tarantinos had hung a black-and-white photograph of the architect just off the living room.

The New Yorker

At one time, Mr. Pinault wanted to build a museum just outside Paris for his own extraordinary collection, but gave up in 2005 in the face of bureaucratic hurdles.

The New York Times

The picture, he said in a phone interview last week, came together with unusual speed, in the face of some daunting hurdles.

The New York Times

He tried to help form a political party to compete in parliamentary elections next year, but gave up in the face of daunting legal hurdles.

The New York Times

But the ultimate test of strength would be his planned return to Thailand in the face of high political hurdles raised by the military junta that staged a coup in September 2006, dismissing his government.

Forbes

Sun is said to have demanded that IBM also assure the smaller company that it would proceed with the deal in the face of possible antitrust hurdles, a promise IBM refused to make.

Forbes

"The challenge itself is attractive," he said, referring to the level of excitement the teams have in the face of numerous great hurdles.

Huffington Post

Torre was pragmatic in the face of yet another hurdle in what has evolved into a disconcerting first half of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

This ideology has motivated the development of amazing new technologies in the face of legal and economic hurdles, but it is also at the root of Silicon Valley's widely criticized arrogance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the face of hurdles" when you want to emphasize resilience and determination in overcoming specific, identifiable challenges. It suggests a proactive stance against difficulties.

Common error

Avoid using "in the face of hurdles" when referring to general difficulties or abstract problems. The term "hurdles" implies concrete, specific obstacles, not just any challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the face of hurdles" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the circumstances under which an action is performed. Ludwig AI validates this usage, providing examples where the phrase modifies the manner of facing adversity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the face of hurdles" is a prepositional phrase used to convey resilience and determination when confronting specific challenges. Although Ludwig AI assesses it as grammatically correct, its frequency is rare. It is suitable for neutral contexts, particularly in news media and scientific writing, where it effectively emphasizes the proactive effort to overcome concrete obstacles. When using the phrase, ensure you are referring to specific, identifiable challenges rather than general difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite the obstacles

Changes the structure to emphasize overcoming obstacles rather than confronting them.

in spite of the difficulties

Substitutes "hurdles" for "difficulties", offering a slightly more general term.

notwithstanding the challenges

Replaces "hurdles" with "challenges" and uses a more formal tone with "notwithstanding".

overcoming the barriers

Shifts focus from facing to overcoming, using the term "barriers" for "hurdles".

even with the setbacks

Replaces "hurdles" with "setbacks", focusing on specific instances of regression.

persevering through difficulties

Highlights the act of persevering, using "difficulties" as a substitute for "hurdles".

against all odds

Uses a more dramatic and figurative expression to convey the same meaning.

navigating the obstacles

Focuses on the act of navigating or maneuvering around obstacles rather than directly confronting them.

triumphing over adversity

Emphasizes the successful overcoming of difficult circumstances, replacing "hurdles" with "adversity".

battling through adversity

Uses stronger, more active verbs to describe the process of dealing with challenges, replacing "hurdles" with "adversity".

FAQs

How can I use "in the face of hurdles" in a sentence?

You can use "in the face of hurdles" to describe how someone or something persists despite encountering specific obstacles. For example: "The project succeeded "in the face of hurdles" and unexpected setbacks".

What are some alternatives to "in the face of hurdles"?

Alternatives include "despite the obstacles", "notwithstanding the challenges", or "in spite of the difficulties". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "in the face of obstacles" and "in the face of hurdles"?

While similar, "hurdles" implies more concrete and potentially surmountable barriers, whereas "obstacles" can be broader and more general. Using "hurdles" suggests a more specific and manageable set of challenges.

When is it appropriate to use "in the face of hurdles"?

Use "in the face of hurdles" when referring to a situation where specific, identifiable obstacles are being actively confronted and overcome. This phrase is especially apt when emphasizing resilience and determination.