Phrase guide

stumbling block

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A hindrance, obstacle or impediment; an opportunity for error.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Idioms are a common stumbling block for learners of a language.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bar, drag, barrier, bone in the throat, bump in the road, hindrance, impediment, obstruction, obstacle, encumbrance, hurdle, roadblock, stumbling block, hitch

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

any obstacle or impediment

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: obstacle

History

Etymology

Probably originally from Romans 14:13 or 1 Corinthians 8:9 in the King James Version of the Bible, translating Koine Greek πρόσκομμα (próskomma).

Across languages

Translations

33 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: struikelblok — hindrance
  • Bulgarian: препъни-камък (prepǎni-kamǎk) — hindrance
  • Chinese Mandarin: 障礙物 /障碍物 (zhàng'àiwù) — hindrance
  • Chinese Mandarin: 絆腳石 /绊脚石 (bànjiǎoshí) — hindrance
  • Esperanto: stumbligilo — hindrance
  • Finnish: kompastuskivi — hindrance
  • French: pierre d'achoppement — hindrance
  • French: écueil — hindrance
  • German: Stolperstein — hindrance
  • German: Fallstrick — hindrance
  • Gothic: 𐌱𐌹𐍃𐍄𐌿𐌲𐌵 (bistugq) — hindrance
  • Gothic: 𐌼𐌰𐍂𐌶𐌴𐌹𐌽𐍃 (marzeins) — hindrance
  • Ancient Greek: σκάνδαλον (skándalon) — hindrance
  • Italian: scoglio — hindrance
  • Japanese: つまずきの石 (tsumazuki no ishi) — hindrance
  • Japanese: 妨げ (samatage) — hindrance
  • Kikuyu: mũhĩnga — hindrance
  • Plautdietsch: Aunstooss — hindrance
  • Polish: przeszkoda — hindrance
  • Portuguese: pedra de tropeço — hindrance
  • Portuguese: obstáculo — hindrance
  • Russian: ка́мень преткнове́ния (kámenʹ pretknovénija) — hindrance
  • Scottish Gaelic: cnap-starra — hindrance
  • Scottish Gaelic: ceap-tuislidh — hindrance
  • Scottish Gaelic: arrasbacan — hindrance
  • Scottish Gaelic: oilbheum — hindrance
  • Scottish Gaelic: bò mhòr na cachaileith — hindrance
  • Sicilian: mpidugghiu — hindrance
  • Spanish: escollo — hindrance
  • Spanish: obstáculo — hindrance
  • Spanish: atascadero — hindrance
  • Swedish: stötesten — hindrance
  • Ukrainian: ка́мінь спотика́ння (káminʹ spotykánnja) — hindrance