hit a snag

Idioms  

1. Encounter a problem or obstacle. For example, We've hit a snag with this building project. The noun snag has been used in the sense of “a sharp or rough projection,” such as would impede passage, since the 1500s.

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Example Sentences

Private-import efforts have hit a snag after Cuba blocked fuel for the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

It was a tale of two seasons for Smith, who dazzled with a .297/.357/.443 slash line through his first 75 big league games, but hit a snag over his next 59 games, slashing just .153/.248/.232.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Work to replace water pipes in Osaka, a city of 2.8 million residents, has hit a snag as the actual cost exceeded the planned budget, according to local media.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

But many of their investments hit a snag after publicly traded energy companies became more financially disciplined and largely halted acquisitions of undeveloped oilfields around 2017.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

She tried to follow its instructions, think about what was actually happening, but she hit a snag almost immediately.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi