unexpected roadblock
1
4.2
- noun
- She encountered an unexpected roadblock in her project due to a sudden change in regulations.
Examples
-
Now this was really getting strange; I had never before, or since, had three unexpected roadblocks in the same trip!
Fiction book (2002) -
While driving to the meeting, we faced an unexpected roadblock that delayed our arrival.
-
What should you do when you experience an unexpected roadblock in pet ownership?
Blog text (7) -
The team had to find a new strategy after hitting an unexpected roadblock during negotiations.
Synonyms
298
3.4
A thing or problem that makes it hard to reach a goal
236
3.7
Something that stops or makes it hard to make progress
135
3.6
A problem that delays progress or makes things worse
99
3.8
An obstacle or problem you must overcome
49
7.0
Something that stops or slows progress
43
4.2
A small problem that causes a delay
37
4.4
A thing that blocks a passage like a pipe or artery
37
4.8
An unexpected problem that is not obvious at first
32
3.9
A problem that stops progress or makes a goal hard to reach
28
4.6
An unexpected problem that delays a plan
21
4.6
A narrow place, like where lanes merge, that slows movement
20
3.7
A small problem that slows progress for a short time
20
4.4
A problem that stops progress or makes moving forward difficult
10
3.2
A problem that slows progress in a project
10
7.0
An unexpected problem that causes trouble with a plan
9
7.5
A situation where talks or plans cannot move forward because of a big problem
6
4.3
An unexpected event that causes a setback or loss
4
5.9
An unexpected problem that stops progress in a plan or process
2
6.6
A serious problem that stops a plan, product, or event from going ahead
1
8.8
A hidden problem that can cause trouble
1
7.0
A sudden problem that stops plans from happening
A big delay that stops or slows progress
Antonyms
How Disruptive
174
7.0
∞
3.1
298
3.4
1
4.2
135
3.6
28
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines the transparent adjective 'unexpected' with the noun 'roadblock' (an obstacle), so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer 'an unforeseen obstacle or delay.' The composition follows a straightforward adjective+noun pattern and the metaphorical use of 'roadblock' for an obstacle is common and predictable across languages, supporting full transparency.
Etymology
Unexpected roadblock comes from the image of a real roadblock, a barrier placed across a road that can suddenly stop traffic, and unexpected means 'without warning'. So the phrase now means an unplanned 'obstacle' or 'delay' that stops your progress.