Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to hit a bump

to hit a bump

3 5.8
Face a problem that slows progress or makes things harder
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : encontrar un obstáculo
  • They always say that you will hit a bump in the road during any big journey.
  • hit a bump in the road

Examples

  • Last week, we hit a bump in the road that delayed our project.

  • If you have a verbal agreement about paying installments on your account, please keep your part of the deal or call if you hit a bump.

    Blog text (14)

  • You just hit a bump in the road.

    Fame Kills: Princess Diana (2022)

  • Vivaan and I hit a bump in the road.

    The Honeymoon (2023)

  • We must've hit a bump.

    It's a Great Feeling (1949)

  • Jeez, I hit a bump about a hundred miles back, and the bloody thing's been driving me crazy!

    Roadgames (1981)

  • Brodsky's day actually hit a bump a few hours before Smith took the witness stand and sent it off the rails.

    Blog text (20)

  • If you hit a bump in the road, don't hesitate to ask for help.

Synonyms

to run into
vsto hit a bump
274 2.6

Experience a problem or difficulty unexpectedly

is used for any setback that slows progress, not just surprise encounters
to hit a snag
vsto hit a bump
  • Informal
5 5.5

To meet an unexpected problem that stops progress

is any problem that slows progress without implying size or duration
to hit a rough patch
vsto hit a bump
5 4.8

To go through a short time with problems after a good time

is a specific obstacle or moment that slows progress, not a whole period
to hit a roadblock
vsto hit a bump
2 5.3

To face an unexpected problem that prevents progress

is any problem that slows progress, not necessarily a complete block
to hit up against
vsto hit a bump
6.8

Face unexpected problems or opposition while doing something

is broader, covering any obstacle that slows progress rather than only opposition
to face a headwind
vsto hit a bump
6.9

Experience problems that make progress harder

is a single problem that slows progress rather than continuous resistance

Antonyms

progress
∞ 2.5

Forward change toward a goal or better state

smooth sailing
  • Informal
16 2.7

An easy time with no problems

How Serious

to come to a halt
  • Informal
13 3.4
to hit a bump
3 5.8
to hit a snag
  • Informal
5 5.5
to run into
274 2.6

Surface Forms

hit a bump infinitive
hit a bump past
hit a bump past participle
hitting a bump present participle
hits a bump third person singular

Morphology

hit + a + bump

The sense 'experience a problem or obstacle' follows directly from combining 'hit' (to strike or encounter) with 'bump' (a small obstacle or jolt) — the physical image of striking a bump readily maps onto encountering a minor problem. This physical-to-abstract metaphor is common in English (e.g. 'bump in the road') and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Hit a bump comes from driving: when a car hits a small bump in the road it shakes and slows you down, so the phrase now means 'to meet a problem that slows progress'.