hurdle
An obstacle or difficulty that you have to overcome is called a hurdle.
Think about running a long-distance race. You've been training for months and finally, on the day of the big event, you come across something that's going to make your run harder - like a muddy patch or a steep hill. That tricky spot in front of you is a hurdle. Now, when people talk about "hurdling" problems at work or in their personal lives, they're referring to the act of overcoming these challenges one by one.
The word "hurdle" can also be used as a verb - like "to hurdle." For example: "After quitting her job, Sarah had to hurdle through months without an income." In this case, she's talking about navigating difficult financial times.
How common is "hurdle"?
It appears most frequently in newspaper texts and less often in other writings.
noun
An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.
Example: He ran in the 100 metres hurdles.
verb
To jump over something while running.
Example: He hurdled the bench in his rush to get away.
Real examples of "hurdle" in context
