pitfall

noun

pit·​fall ˈpit-ˌfȯl 

1

: trap entry 1, snare

specifically : a pit flimsily covered or camouflaged and used to capture and hold animals or people

2

: a hidden or not easily recognized danger or difficulty

Synonyms

• booby trap
• catch
• catch-22
• gimmick
• gotcha
• hitch
• joker
• land mine
• snag

Examples of pitfall in a Sentence

buying a house can be full of pitfalls for the unwary

one of the pitfalls of ignorance is that people will also assume you're stupid

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, regardless, this is a high-end gaming laptop that avoids the steep price pitfall that so many competitors fall into. —Joe Osborne, PCMAG, 10 July 2024

However, achieving this vision will require careful consideration of the challenges and potential pitfalls associated with decentralization. —Jeffrey Edell, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2024

Avoid these pitfalls to make a good first virtual impression. —Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024

Perhaps reading about some of the things that can go wrong at a wedding will inspire people to avoid these pitfalls. —Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 29 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pitfall

noun

pit·​fall ˈpit-ˌfȯl 

1

: trap entry 1 sense 1, snare

especially : a covered or camouflaged pit used to capture animals or people

2

: a danger or difficulty that is hidden or is not easily recognized