pitfall
A type of trap consisting of a concealed pit in the ground, into which the victim is…A type of trap consisting of a concealed pit in the ground, into which the victim is supposed to fall and not be able to get out from.
» I managed to sidestep every pitfall.
Meaning
4 sensesA type of trap consisting of a concealed pit in the ground, into which the victim is supposed to fall and not be able to get out from.
(figuratively)A potential, unsuspected, hidden problem, hazard, or danger that is easily encountered but not immediately obvious.
It's usually a simple task, but you should know the pitfalls before you attempt it yourself.
An antipattern.
Subsidence below ground in a mine, which can cause the ground level above to drop.
- an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
- a trap in the form of a concealed hole
Examples
8 sentencesI managed to sidestep every pitfall.
The pitfalls of easy generalization are to be avoided.
That the web is full of pitfalls is common knowledge.
deEs ist allgemein bekannt, dass das Netz voller Fallstricke ist.
Taking advice seriously can steer you away from potential pitfalls.
The specimen was caught in a pitfall trap sunk in the ground.
deDas Exemplar wurde in einem in den Boden versenkten Fallenbehälter gefangen.
Origin
First recorded use in the 14th century from pit + fall in the sense of "pit trap, pit snarFirst recorded use in the 14th century from pit + fall in the sense of "pit trap, pit snare", from Old English fealle (“trap, snare”), from Proto-Germanic *fallą, *fallaz (“a fall, trap”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pōl-. Cognate with German Falle (“trap, snare”).
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Forms
plural: pitfallsSynonyms
6 synonyms- an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty:booby trap
- a trap in the form of a concealed hole:pit