roadblock

A roadblock is anything that stops movement forward, either by physically blocking a path or by slowing progress toward a goal. The image of police cars and barricades stopping traffic on a road clearly shows the literal meaning: a physical barrier or checkpoint. However, "roadblock" is very often used in a figurative way to describe any obstacle that gets in the way of success.

Maybe you are writing a novel but keep getting stuck; that can feel like a roadblock. A lack of resources can be a roadblock to starting a business. Even personality clashes within a team can create roadblocks to working well together.

The term often suggests something frustrating that interrupts progress. It can be sudden, but it does not have to be. You might say, "Bureaucratic red tape proved to be a major roadblock to the project's approval." Or, "Her fear of public speaking was a significant roadblock to her career advancement."

Sometimes roadblocks can be overcome with planning and effort, like finding a detour around a closed road. Other times they require a creative solution or a change of plan. Recognizing a roadblock is the first step toward dealing with it and moving forward again. So, whether it is a literal barrier in the street or an abstract challenge in life, a roadblock tells you that something must be dealt with before progress can continue.