sticking point

noun

1. a point, detail, or circumstance causing or likely to cause a stalemate or impasse.

   The bill would have gone through the Senate quickly but for one sticking point.

2. sticking place.

sticking point

noun

1. a problem or point on which agreement cannot be reached, preventing progress from being made

Word History and Origins

Origin of sticking point¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

This was apparently one of the sticking points over the weekend as Kiffin negotiated his exit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The proposal became a major sticking point in negotiations, keeping the Univision channels off YouTube TV since Sept. 30 and drawing the attention of Washington.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However the redevelopment is dependent on the stadium being granted permission by the local council to stage 15 non-rugby events each year, which has up until now proved a sticking point.

Read more on BBC

The October controls were a major sticking point in trade talks between Beijing and Washington, and Sejourne said that Europe was both a "collateral victim" of their trade tensions, and "directly targeted" itself.

Read more on Barron's

The UK has agreed to pay an "appropriate" financial contribution to the EU as part of the deals, which is likely to prove a key sticking point in the talks.

Read more on BBC

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