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Glite Dictionary
to hit a roadblock

to hit a roadblock

2 5.3
To face an unexpected problem that prevents progress
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : encontrar un obstáculo
  • After weeks of research, they hit a roadblock that delayed the project's completion.

I remember I was writing a script years ago and I hit a roadblock.

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Examples

  • During our project, we hit a roadblock when we couldn't secure the necessary funding.

  • But I hit a roadblock right away.

    Blog text (33)

  • Right now, I kind of hit a roadblock in my drawing skills.

    Blog text (25)

  • This is the first time I ran into problems; my topic, food safety for the public, hit a roadblock.

    Blog text (12)

  • One day, you will hit a roadblock in logistics.

    Academic text (2004)

  • If we hit a roadblock, don't panic.

    Three Fugitives (1989)

  • Forgive me for not escorting you to the clinic, but... our plans for expansion have hit a roadblock.

    The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

  • We hit a roadblock.

    Code 8 (2019)

  • The team hit a roadblock in their plans when the supplier unexpectedly raised prices.

Synonyms

to bogged down
vsto hit a roadblock
  • Informal
21 5.8

To become stuck and unable to make progress because of problems

is usually a single obstacle rather than prolonged entanglement
to hit the wall
vsto hit a roadblock
12 7.7

To reach a point where you cannot continue because you are very tired or stuck

is usually an obstacle that may be temporary rather than complete inability
to clog up
vsto hit a roadblock
9 3.7

To block a drain or road so things cannot move through it

is an unexpected obstacle in activity rather than a physical blockage
to hit a dead end
vsto hit a roadblock
8 4.6

Reach a point where you cannot continue

is an obstacle that impedes progress but may still allow a route forward
to hit a snag
vsto hit a roadblock
  • Informal
5 5.5

To meet an unexpected problem that stops progress

is an unexpected obstacle that can halt or delay progress
to bog down
vsto hit a roadblock
5 5.8

To get stuck and stop making progress

is typically a one-off unexpected problem causing delay
to hit a bump
vsto hit a roadblock
3 5.8

Face a problem that slows progress or makes things harder

is a sudden obstacle that may fully prevent forward movement
to bottleneck
vsto hit a roadblock
2 6.0

To become narrow and slow progress

is an unexpected barrier rather than a structural or process restriction
to face a headwind
vsto hit a roadblock
6.9

Experience problems that make progress harder

is a single unexpected barrier rather than continuous opposition
to hit a logjam
vsto hit a roadblock
  • US
8.1

Progress stops because people disagree or something blocks it

is a general unexpected problem not necessarily caused by conflict
to hit the buffers
vsto hit a roadblock
  • Literature
8.4

Suddenly stop or fail because of a big problem

is often less final and can allow further attempts after resolve

Antonyms

to making progress
251 2.8

Getting better at a task or skill you are working on

How Blocked

at an impasse
12 6.3
stuck
294 3.5
to hit a roadblock
2 5.3
to hit a snag
  • Informal
5 5.5

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

hit + a + roadblock

The phrase's meaning is directly derivable from 'hit' (to strike, reach, or encounter) combined with 'roadblock' (an obstacle that blocks advancement); together they straightforwardly convey 'encounter an obstacle'. This compositional pattern—to 'hit' or 'run into' an obstacle—is common and thus a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Hit a roadblock paints a clear image: imagine a car that hits a physical roadblock, a barrier on the road that suddenly stops you from moving forward. So, it came to mean 'to meet an unexpected problem that stops your progress'.