pitfalls
Concealed traps ahead
Pitfalls are hidden dangers or unexpected difficulties that can cause failure.
The word originally meant a concealed pit for trapping animals, and the figurative sense retains that element of concealment—pitfalls aren't obvious obstacles but lurking hazards: the pitfalls of online dating, pitfalls to avoid when buying a used car.
Nearly always plural.
Things blocking access
- hindrancesThings that obstruct progress
- roadblocksObstructions blocking forward movement
- impedimentsThings that obstruct progress
- stumbling-blocksObstacles impeding progress
hurdles · complications · difficulties · challenges · snags · setbacks · drawbacks · downsides
Dangers or threats
- risksPossible negative outcomes
- perilsSerious risks or dangers
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- dangersSources of potential harm
vulnerabilities · liabilities · exposures · landmines · minefields · tripwires · booby-traps · snares
Traps or drum wires
- entrapmentDefense against induced criminality
- ensnarementBeing caught in trap
- luresAttracts or fishing decoys
- baitLure for prey
decoys · ambushes · tricks · deceptions · ruses · ploys · seductions · temptations
Serious mistakes from carelessness
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
- oversightsFailures to notice
- gaffesEmbarrassing social mistakes
- misstepsMistakes or errors
miscalculations · slip-ups · flubs · fumbles · goofs · misjudgments · bloopers · botches
barriers
Things blocking access
- hindrancesThings that obstruct progress
- roadblocksObstructions blocking forward movement
- impedimentsThings that obstruct progress
stumbling-blocks · hurdles · complications · difficulties · challenges · snags · setbacks · drawbacks · downsides · shortcomings
hazards
Dangers or threats
dangers · vulnerabilities · liabilities · exposures · landmines · minefields · tripwires · booby-traps · snares · quicksand
snares
Traps or drum wires
- entrapmentDefense against induced criminality
- ensnarementBeing caught in trap
- luresAttracts or fishing decoys
bait · decoys · ambushes · tricks · deceptions · ruses · ploys · seductions · temptations · mirages
blunders
Serious mistakes from carelessness
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
- oversightsFailures to notice
- gaffesEmbarrassing social mistakes
missteps · miscalculations · slip-ups · flubs · fumbles · goofs · misjudgments · bloopers · botches · screw-ups
- flawsfaults, defect, flaw, blemish, flaws
- obstaclesbarriers, block, obstacles, barrier, blockers
- trappingtraps, trap, snare, snares, trappers
- annoyancesannoyance, annoyances, irritations, irritation, nuisance
- pros and conspros, cons, advantage, disadvantage, pluses
- insightsinsights, lessons, realizations, discoveries, epiphanies
pitfallsbenefits
Gains or helpful effects
advantages · blessings · rewards · gains · perks
pitfallsstepping stones
Rocks enabling water passage
springboards · shortcuts · catalysts · aids · boosts