pitfall

American  

[pit-fawl] / ˈpɪtˌfɔl /

noun

1. a lightly covered and unnoticeable pit prepared as a trap for people or animals.

2. any trap or danger for the unwary.

   the pitfall of excessive pride.

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pitfall British  

/ ˈpɪtˌfɔːl /

noun

1. an unsuspected difficulty or danger

2. a trap in the form of a concealed pit, designed to catch men or wild animals

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Related Words

See trap ¹.

Etymology

Origin of pitfall

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English pittefalle, equivalent to pitte pit ¹ + falle ( Old English fealle ) “trap”

Example Sentences

Officials struggled to answer questions about post-fire beach safety in part because of a lack of historical data on pollution levels, a pitfall researchers would like to forestall before another disaster arrives.

From Los Angeles Times

Chuck Marr, vice president for federal tax policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the early details of the proposals have good intentions, in his view — but they also have pitfalls.

From MarketWatch

Other research from Vanguard has shown how much emergency savings accounts save participants from all sorts of retirement-savings pitfalls in addition to hardship withdrawals, like loans and account liquidations at job changes.

From MarketWatch

"All Rise has that triumphant feeling and affirmation of our common humanity in spite of the tribulations and pitfalls."

From BBC

A recent Tax Court case highlights the pitfalls that can cost sellers dearly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• danger
• difficulty
• drawback
• peril
• risk
• snag