stumbling block
stumbling block — 名詞
1. a difficulty or problem that stops or delays progress toward a goal, or prevents
絆腳石
阻礙進展或協議的事物
a difficulty or problem that stops or delays progress toward a goal, or prevents agreement or cooperation between people or groups
The lack of funding was the main stumbling block in the community center renovation project.
資金不足是社區中心翻新計畫的主要絆腳石。
stumbling block + in [project/process]
For the two firms, price disagreement became a major stumbling block in merger talks.
對這兩家公司來說，價格上的分歧成了合併談判的一大障礙。
The unresolved border dispute remains a serious stumbling block to lasting peace in the region.
未解決的邊界爭議仍然是該區域實現持久和平的嚴重障礙。
Language barriers can be a real stumbling block for students in their first semester abroad.
語言障礙對於第一學期出國留學的學生來說可能是個真正的絆腳石。
The team's lack of experience was a stumbling block in their construction contract bid.
該團隊缺乏經驗，在建設合約競標中成了絆腳石。
The old zoning laws were a major stumbling block for the city's new housing plan.
舊的分區法規是該市新建住宅計畫的主要絆腳石。
Staff resistance was the biggest stumbling block in the digital transformation process.
員工的抗拒是數位轉型過程中最大的絆腳石。
The lack of reliable internet access is a serious stumbling block to rural education programs.
缺乏穩定的網路連線是農村教育計畫的一大絆腳石。
High import taxes became a stumbling block for small businesses expanding into foreign markets.
高額進口關稅成了拓展海外市場的小型企業的絆腳石。
- obstacle
more general; stumbling block suggests a specific difficulty that unexpectedly trips someone up
- barrier
stronger; implies something that fully blocks passage rather than just slowing it
- impediment
more formal; emphasises delay rather than a full stop
- hurdle
suggests something that can be overcome with effort, like jumping over a barrier
- hindrance
milder; suggests something that slows progress rather than stopping it
- stepping stone
something that helps progress rather than blocking it
- catalyst
something that speeds up progress
- advantage
something that works in your favor
文法句型
be a stumbling block to [goal/action]
be a stumbling block in [process/project]
be a stumbling block for [person/group]
用法筆記
Almost always used in the singular. The phrase 'a stumbling block to [something]' is the most common grammatical pattern. This sense covers both contexts: progress-blocking situations (plans, projects, development) and interpersonal or procedural situations (negotiations, agreements, cooperation). The progress-blocking usage is the most frequent — the headword's literal metaphor of tripping while walking forward naturally maps onto goals and timelines.
常見錯誤
stumbling block — 慣用語
1. a difficult idea or confusing point that keeps someone from accepting or fully g
理解障礙
妨礙理解或接受的觀念
a difficult idea or confusing point that keeps someone from accepting or fully grasping a belief, concept, or explanation
The contradiction in the data was a stumbling block for the research team's hypothesis.
數據中的矛盾成了研究團隊假設的障礙。
stumbling block + for [theory/hypothesis]
For many non-scientists, complex terminology becomes a stumbling block to understanding climate change reports.
對許多非科學家來說，複雜的術語成了理解氣候變遷報告的障礙。
The idea of infinite space was a stumbling block for students of cosmology.
無限空間的概念成了宇宙學學生的理解障礙。
Religious differences can be a stumbling block in moral discussions between people of different faiths.
宗教信仰差異可能是不同信仰者之間道德討論中的障礙。
- perplexity
more formal; emphasises confusion rather than blockage
- mental block
more psychological; suggests an internal rather than external difficulty
- insight
a flash of understanding that removes the difficulty
文法句型
stumbling block to [understanding/belief]
用法筆記
Abstract sense — the stumbling block here is an intellectual or conceptual difficulty (a confusing idea, a contradiction, a hard-to-grasp concept), not a practical or procedural one. Common in academic, philosophical, and scientific contexts.