stumbling block in front of vs stumbling block before

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Stumbling block in front of' is used to indicate a physical obstacle that is ahead of someone, while 'stumbling block before' is more commonly used in a figurative sense to refer to an obstacle or difficulty that someone is facing.

Last updated: March 21, 2024

stumbling block in front of

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a physical obstacle that is ahead of someone.

This phrase is used to describe a physical obstacle or hindrance that is located in the path ahead of a person or object.

Examples:

He saw the stumbling block in front of him and managed to avoid it.
The fallen tree was a stumbling block in front of the hikers.
There was a huge rock acting as a stumbling block in front of the car.
The construction site posed a stumbling block in front of the workers.
The deep pothole was a stumbling block in front of the cyclists.

Alternatives:

obstacle in front of
hindrance in front of
barrier in front of

stumbling block before

This phrase is correct and commonly used in a figurative sense to refer to an obstacle or difficulty that someone is facing.

This phrase is used figuratively to describe an obstacle or difficulty that someone is encountering or dealing with.

Examples:

The lack of funding was a stumbling block before the project could proceed.
Her fear of public speaking was a stumbling block before her career advancement.
The language barrier was a stumbling block before their communication.
The unresolved issues were a stumbling block before their relationship.
The legal restrictions were a stumbling block before the company's expansion.

Alternatives:

obstacle before
difficulty before
challenge before

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stumbling block in front of vs stumbling block before