From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpitfallpit‧fall /ˈpɪtfɔːl $ -fɒːl/ noun [countable usually plural] PROBLEMa problem or difficulty that is likely to happen in a particular job, course of action, or activitypitfall of He gave me advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of the legal process. the pitfalls associated with the purchase of a used car
Examples from the Corpus
pitfall• It would be wise to note at this point that there can be pitfalls.• When will they learn that being conservative in Texas has its pitfalls?• This is a well-known pitfall in real life as well as in case studies.• And Magic can count on more pitfalls before his team is back to prominence again.• His reviews avoided the pitfalls of exotica and newness, drawing attention instead to the varied formal qualities of the writing.• Sometimes the pitfalls in not looking at it from all these angles become painfully clear.• the pitfalls of fame• The 1992 winners overcame most, if not all, of these pitfalls.• Those pitfalls emerged in the private deliberations of the 14-member Kemp Commission even though it was tilted heavily to flat-tax advocates.avoid ... pitfalls• If you are aware of this you can avoid the pitfalls.• His reviews avoided the pitfalls of exotica and newness, drawing attention instead to the varied formal qualities of the writing.• By adopting this methodical approach you should avoid the pitfalls and successfully answer any questions set on this subject.• But only if you know the market well enough to avoid the pitfalls. 