sticking-point
Deal-breaker in talks
A sticking-point is an issue that blocks progress in a negotiation or discussion—the matter on which parties cannot agree: The salary cap remained the sticking-point in contract talks.
The image is of something that causes movement to halt, unable to proceed past the obstacle.
Mutual blocking, no progress
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- logjamObstruction halting flow
bottleneck · halt · standoff · quagmire · cul-de-sac · dead-end · limbo · paralysis
Obstruction preventing passage
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- roadblockObstruction across a road
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
snag · blockage · obstruction · complication · difficulty · setback · constraint · limitation
Absence of shared opinion
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
issue · friction · rift · discord · dissension · divergence · opposition · protest
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- arbitrationNon-court binding dispute resolution
terms · counteroffer · haggling · trade-off · leverage · deal-making · dialogue · proposal
deadlock
Mutual blocking, no progress
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
logjam · bottleneck · halt · standoff · quagmire · cul-de-sac · dead-end · limbo · paralysis · inaction
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- roadblockObstruction across a road
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
hindrance · snag · blockage · obstruction · complication · difficulty · setback · constraint · limitation · stumbling-block
disagreement
Absence of shared opinion
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- objectionExpression of disapproval
grievance · issue · friction · rift · discord · dissension · divergence · opposition · protest · clash
bargaining
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
arbitration · terms · counteroffer · haggling · trade-off · leverage · deal-making · dialogue · proposal · ratification
sticking-pointcommon ground
Points of agreement
breakthrough · compromise · agreement · consensus · meeting of minds
sticking-pointnon-issue
Matter of no importance
easy win · quick fix · minor detail · formality · no-brainer
stick, sticking, stuck, sticks, sticky, stickiness, sticker, stickers, point