roadblock

roadblock — noun

1. a barrier placed across a road by police or soldiers that stops vehicles so they

1.名詞B1
釋義

a barrier placed across a road by police or soldiers that stops vehicles so they can check who is inside or what the vehicles are carrying.

例句

The police set up a roadblock near the highway exit to look for drunk drivers.

set up a roadblock + purpose

Hiro's van was stopped at a military roadblock outside the city centre.

同義詞
  • barricade

    a broader term that can be any makeshift barrier, not only on roads

  • checkpoint

    a controlled stopping point where documents are checked, often more permanent than a roadblock

  • barrier

    a general term for anything that blocks movement, not specific to police operations

反義詞

用法筆記

Often combined with verbs like 'set up', 'remove', or 'stop at'. The purpose of the roadblock is usually stated after 'to' or 'for'.

常見錯誤

❌The police built a roadblock on the street.
✅The police set up a roadblock on the street.
💡'set up' is the natural verb for roadblocks, not 'build'.

2. something that stops progress or makes it very difficult to achieve a goal — for

2.名詞B2
釋義

something that stops progress or makes it very difficult to achieve a goal — for example, a lack of money delaying a building project, or a disagreement blocking a business deal.

例句

A lack of funding is the biggest roadblock to completing the hospital project.

roadblock to + noun phrase

Diya's visa application hit a roadblock when the rules changed suddenly.

hit a roadblock

同義詞
  • obstacle

    a more general term for anything in the way; less dramatic than 'roadblock'

  • hurdle

    suggests something that can be jumped over or overcome with effort

  • stumbling block

    an unexpected problem that trips up progress; slightly informal

反義詞
  • aid

    something that actively helps progress

  • catalyst

    something that speeds up progress

  • boost

    something that gives progress a push forward

文法句型

roadblock to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in business and project-management contexts. Frequently paired with 'hit', 'face', or 'overcome'. The preposition 'to' introduces the goal that is blocked.

常見錯誤

❌We had a roadblock yesterday' (without explaining the context).
✅We hit a roadblock in the negotiations yesterday.
💡clarify what the roadblock is blocking.