speed bump

noun

1. a rounded ridge built crosswise into the pavement of a road or driveway to force vehicles to slow down.

Word History and Origins

Origin of speed bump¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

These companies have hit a serious speed bump, however, amid concern the spending may not materialize as expected—or that it might not lead to a gusher of profits.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

How dare the guy become a speed bump?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms. Erivo’s new number, “No Place Like Home,” adds very little, and later on, “The Girl in the Bubble,” sung by Ms. Grande, is a narrative speed bump.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The stock market has hit a speed bump, not a yawning vortex of doom, as investors question the valuations of top tech and artificial intelligence stocks.

Read more on Barron's

It all underscores the difficult road ahead for the Dodgers in their push for three straight titles: inevitable speed bumps that will only further complicate their quest.

Read more on Los Angeles Times