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

Stocks were mostly lower Tuesday as investors rotated out of tech and concerns mounted that peace talks in the Middle East had hit a snag.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

However, the project appears to have hit a snag.

From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025

She reportedly spent two days waiting to fly to London, where the transfer would be announced, only to repeatedly be told the deal had hit a snag.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

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

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi