hur·dle [hurdlehurdleshurdledhurdling] noun, verb BrE [ˈhɜːdl] NAmE [ˈhɜːrdl] noun 1. each of a series of vertical frames that a person or horse jumps over in a race •His horse fell at the final hurdle. •to clear a hurdle (= jump over it successfully) 2.hurdlesplural a race in which runners or horses have to jump over hurdles •the 300 m hurdles 3. a problem or difficulty that must be solved or dealt with before you can achieve sth Syn: ↑obstacle •The next hurdle will be getting her parents' agreement. •Well we've cleared the first hurdle; let's see what happens next. •We worked hard for three months on the deal only to see it fall at the final hurdle.
Word Origin: Old English hyrdel ‘temporary fence’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch horde and German Hürde.
Example Bank: •She cleared the first few hurdles easily. •The first big hurdle in putting your car on the road is getting insurance. •The plan fell at the first hurdle. •This is perhaps the most difficult hurdle that we face. •We'll jump each hurdle as we come to it. •You have already overcome the first major hurdle by passing the entrance exam. •She cleared the first hurdle in the lead. •The next hurdle will be getting her parents' agreement. •We worked hard for three months on the deal only to see it fall at the final hurdle •We'll cross that hurdle when we come to it. •Well, we've cleared the first hurdle; let's see what happens next.
verb 1. transitive, intransitive to jump over sth while you are running •~ sth He hurdled two barriers to avoid reporters. •~ over sth to hurdle over a fence 2. intransitive to run in a ↑hurdles race Verb forms:
Word Origin: Old English hyrdel ‘temporary fence’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch horde and German Hürde.
Example Bank: •He hurdled two steel barriers in an attempt to escape from the police. •She had to hurdle over three fences to reach the finishing line.
