pitfall
[ pit-fawl ]
/ ˈpɪtˌfɔl /
noun
a lightly covered and unnoticeable pit prepared as a trap for people or animals.
any trap or danger for the unwary: the pitfall of excessive pride.
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What does "scattergood" mean?
a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.
a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.
a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUTOrigin of pitfall
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English pittefalle, equivalent to pittepit1 + falle (Old English fealle) “trap”
synonym study for pitfall
1, 2. See trap1.
Words nearby pitfall
pitch woo, pitchy, pit dwelling, piteous, Pitesti, pitfall, pit grave, pith, pithead, pithecanthrope, pithecanthropoid
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for pitfall
British Dictionary definitions for pitfall
pitfall
/ (ˈpɪtˌfɔːl) /
noun
an unsuspected difficulty or danger
a trap in the form of a concealed pit, designed to catch men or wild animals
Word Origin for pitfall
Old English pytt pit 1 + fealle trap
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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