What's bugging you?

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS AND DIFFICULTIES

Life is not a bed of roses, there are times when we need to face some difficulties. Some of them are small, some are much more important. How to talk about problems?

SMALL DIFFICULTIES

SNAG – a problem, especially a small one, hidden or unexpected
We hit a snag – we couldn’t pay for the shopping because there was not enough funds on the bank account.

SETBACK – a problem that delays or prevents something, makes the situation worse
The company suffered a major setback when it hadn’t been granted credit.

GLITCH – a problem that stops something working successfully
A few technical glitches made us put off the launch of our new product.

MORE IMPORTANT DIFFICULTIES:

STUMBLING BLOCK  – a problem that prevents action or agreement.
Conflict within a team is often a stumbling block to positive cooperation.

PITFALL – an unexpected difficulty (often in plural – pitfalls)
There are many pitfalls while buying a house.

OBSTACLE  – stops progress
A lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job.

IMPEDIMENT – prevents free action, progress or movement
The level of red tape is a serious impediment to set up a new company in Russia.

DILEMMA – a situation which makes problems and you have to make a choice between things of equal importance
Job seekers face the dilemma of unsatisfying job against the risk of long-term unemployment.

ORDEAL – a severe experience, which is very difficult, painful or tiring
The refugees talked about the terrible ordeal they had been through due to the war.
 
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