tropiezo

stumble; setback

noun troh-PYEH-soh Rare

Origin: From tropezar (to stumble), from Old Spanish 'tropeçar'.

Also means

snag; obstacle

Usage Note

Tropiezo derives from the verb tropezar and covers both a literal stumble and a figurative setback or mistake (un tropiezo en la carrera, a career setback). The plural tropiezos is regular. The -ie- diphthong appears in the stem-stressed forms of tropezar but not when the stress falls elsewhere (tropezamos).

Examples

"Tuvo un pequeño tropiezo en su presentación."

Natural Translation

He had a small stumble in his presentation.

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