pitfall

plural pitfalls

1. literalA type of trap consisting of a concealed pit in the ground, into which the victim is supposed to fall and not be able to get out from.

   Synonyms: trapping pit

2. figurativelyA potential, unsuspected, hidden problem, hazard, or danger that is easily encountered but not immediately obvious.

   It's usually a simple task, but you should know the pitfalls before you attempt it yourself.

   Synonyms: trap

3. computingAn antipattern.

   Synonyms: antipattern, dark pattern

4. businessSubsidence below ground in a mine, which can cause the ground level above to drop.

   1 more example

   This pitfall, beginning in February and finishing in May, resulted in a drop of about 3 ft. in the platform level; during this period it was necessary to level the track three times weekly, and impose a service slack of 15 m.p.h. The subsidence appears now to have finished, and normal speed is once again permitted.

   1939 June, “Pertinent Paragraphs: Pitfalls”, in Railway Magazine, page 456

present singular third person pitfalls · participle present pitfalling · participle past pitfalled · past pitfalled

1. figurativelytransitiveuncommonTo trap, snare, or ensnare someone or something.