technical hitch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "technical hitch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor problem or issue, often related to technology or equipment, that temporarily disrupts a process or operation. Example: "We experienced a technical hitch during the presentation, which caused a brief delay in the start time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Brief technical hitch.

The Guardian - Business

First came the announcement, then the technical hitch.

Independent

A technical hitch can also lead to the best moment in a gig.

Independent

Pop musicians should be prepared for dealing with a technical hitch.

Independent

The delay was due to a technical hitch, she explained, swearily.

Independent

6.13pm "Caroline Cheese has mentioned your technical hitch," says Michael Whitaker.

The Guardian - Sport

The women swap helpful advice and sometimes spend whole nights solving a technical hitch.

The Guardian

Mr. Ivanov attributed the failure to arrest General Ojdanic on "an internal technical hitch".

The New York Times

They said, 'There has been a technical hitch.' I was just by the stage, and the person who said that said, 'Oh, no, here he is.' Enter technical hitch".

The New Yorker

A technical hitch will delay some money, but Greece and its creditors insisted this was not a problem.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For Matt and John, there were other technical hitches.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, follow "technical hitch" with a brief explanation of the problem, ensuring the audience understands the nature and scope of the disruption.

Common error

Don't use "technical hitch" for major system failures or critical errors; reserve it for minor disruptions that are easily resolved. Overusing it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "technical hitch" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a minor, often unexpected, technical problem or malfunction. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms its role in conveying brief disruptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Lifestyle

2%

Music

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "technical hitch" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe a minor technical problem or malfunction. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal settings; more formal situations may warrant alternatives like "technical difficulty". Remember to use it to downplay the severity of an issue and avoid exaggerating minor problems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor technical problem

Replaces "hitch" with a more general term, "problem", reducing the idiom's specific connotation.

slight technical difficulty

Substitutes "hitch" with "difficulty", adding a slightly more formal tone.

brief technical snag

Uses "snag" instead of "hitch", offering a more informal and concise alternative.

small technical issue

Employs "issue" for "hitch", providing a neutral and widely applicable substitute.

temporary technical setback

Replaces "hitch" with "setback", emphasizing the delay caused by the problem.

minor malfunction

Focuses on the operational aspect, suggesting a fault in the machinery or system.

glitch in the system

Highlights that the problem lies within a system, often implying a software-related issue.

operational hiccup

Uses "hiccup" to convey a brief and insignificant interruption in operations.

unexpected complication

Shifts the focus to the unexpected nature of the problem, rather than its technical aspect.

temporary disruption

Highlights the disruptive aspect of the problem, without necessarily specifying its technical nature.

FAQs

What does "technical hitch" mean?

A "technical hitch" refers to a small, temporary problem or malfunction, often related to equipment or systems. It implies a minor disruption rather than a major failure.

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

You can say, "We experienced a "technical hitch" during the presentation, but it was quickly resolved" or "The broadcast was delayed due to a "technical hitch" with the satellite link".

What are some alternatives to "technical hitch"?

Alternatives include "minor technical problem", "slight technical difficulty", or "brief technical snag". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "technical hitch" formal or informal?

"Technical hitch" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for most contexts but might be replaced with a more formal term like "technical difficulty" in official reports or documents.