unexpected hitch

USAGE SUMMARY

"unexpected hitch" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that was not anticipated -- generally something that has caused a delay or problem. For example, "We had an unexpected hitch in our travel plans that caused the itinerary to be revised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But passage in the committee came with one unexpected hitch.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And in delving into electronic commerce, the company suffered costly, unexpected hitches in the heart of the 2000 tax-filing season.

The New York Times

The burden of any downtime or unexpected hitches is transferred off the books and on to individuals, which is good for profits but leaves staff struggling to reach the hourly legal wage and highly stressed.

The Guardian - Opinion

He offered an inside look at how airlines manage their schedules, attempt to reduce risk and delays for fliers and prepare for unexpected hitches.

BBC

This was not the first time in his career that he had endured such an unexpected, and upsetting, hitch.

Independent

We found ourselves stranded, just as dusk was rolling into dark, on the side of the road just outside of town: a not unexpected consequence of hitch hiking through eastern and southern Africa without a known person for thousands of miles.

Huffington Post

By any standard, it is a stunningly unexpected turn of events, though it has not been without its hitches.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Park Eun-jo, the main pastor of Saemmul Church, said the kidnapping was unexpected because more than 200 South Korean aid missions in Afghanistan this year went on without a hitch.

The New York Times

Hitch 2: Hitch & Son.

The Guardian - Film

The hitch?

The New York Times - Arts

There is another hitch.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a serious or potentially disastrous issue, consider a more impactful term like "major setback" or "critical failure" instead of "unexpected hitch".

Common error

While "unexpected hitch" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "unforeseen obstacle" or "unanticipated complication" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected hitch" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" modifies the noun "hitch". It describes a problem or difficulty that was not anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unexpected hitch" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor, unforeseen problem or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. While versatile, it's best to reserve it to those contexts, and it might be too informal for highly formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "unforeseen issue" or "unanticipated complication" might be more appropriate. Remember that, as seen in the provided examples, "unexpected hitch" generally refers to something that causes a delay or minor disruption, rather than a major crisis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen complication

Replaces "hitch" with "complication", emphasizing the problematic nature of the unexpected event.

unanticipated obstacle

Substitutes "hitch" with "obstacle", highlighting the hindering aspect of the surprise event.

surprise setback

Uses "setback" instead of "hitch", focusing on the delay or regression caused by the unforeseen issue.

sudden difficulty

Replaces both words, focusing on the abrupt and challenging nature of the event.

unplanned snag

Uses "snag" which is a synonym for hitch and is something unexpected

unexpected problem

A more general alternative, replacing "hitch" with "problem", which broadens the scope of the issue.

unforeseen issue

Similar to "unexpected problem", but uses "issue" to soften the negative connotation.

surprise impediment

Substitutes "hitch" with "impediment", indicating a hindrance or obstruction that was not anticipated.

unanticipated glitch

Similar to "hitch", "glitch" suggests a minor malfunction or problem that was not foreseen.

sudden impediment

A variation of "surprise impediment" focusing on the abrupt arrival of the obstacle.

FAQs

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

You can use "unexpected hitch" to describe a sudden, minor problem or delay. For example, "There was an "unexpected hitch" in the negotiations, but we were able to resolve it quickly."

What can I say instead of "unexpected hitch"?

You can use alternatives like "unforeseen complication", "unanticipated obstacle", or "surprise setback" depending on the context.

Is "unexpected hitch" formal or informal?

"Unexpected hitch" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for news articles and general communication, but may be too casual for highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "unforeseen issue" or "unanticipated difficulty" for more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "unexpected hitch" and "major setback"?

An "unexpected hitch" refers to a minor, often temporary, problem or delay. A "major setback", on the other hand, implies a more significant and potentially damaging obstacle. The severity of the situation dictates which term is more appropriate.