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Pitfall: meaning, definitions and examples

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pitfall

 

[ ˈpɪtˌfɔl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in business

A hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty; a concealed trap or hazard often with a lure

Synonyms

hazard, obstacle, snag, trap

Examples of usage

  • The potential pitfalls of investing in a volatile market
  • One of the pitfalls of starting a new business is lack of funding
  • Avoiding the pitfall of overspending is crucial for financial stability
Context #2 | Noun

in gaming

A hidden feature or trap in a video game that may cause a player's downfall

Synonyms

challenge, danger, obstacle, trap

Examples of usage

  • Watch out for the pitfall near the end of the level
  • The pitfall in this game is well-designed to challenge players

Translations

Translations of the word "pitfall" in other languages:

🇵🇹 armadilha

🇮🇳 फंदा

🇩🇪 Falle

🇮🇩 jebakan

🇺🇦 пастка

🇵🇱 pułapka

🇯🇵 落とし穴

🇫🇷 piège

🇪🇸 trampa

🇹🇷 tuzak

🇰🇷 함정

🇸🇦 فخ

🇨🇿 pasti

🇸🇰 pasca

🇨🇳 陷阱

🇸🇮 pasti

🇮🇸 gildra

🇰🇿 қақпан

🇬🇪 ხაფანგი

🇦🇿 tələ

🇲🇽 trampa

Etymology

The word 'pitfall' originated in the 14th century and combines 'pit', referring to a hole or trap, and 'fall', indicating the act of falling into such a trap. Over time, the term expanded to denote hidden dangers or difficulties beyond physical traps, such as in business or gaming contexts.

See also: cesspit, pit, pita.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,741, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.