IMPEDIMENT
hold someone down
to try to keep someone from succeeding.I still think you're trying to hold him down.I'm not trying to hold down my brother.
run into a stone wall
to come to a barrier against further progress. (Informal.)We've run into a stone wall in our investigation.Algebra was hard for Tom, but he really ran into a stone wall with geometry.
stand in someone's way
to be a barrier to someone's desires or intentions.I know you want a divorce so you can marry Ann. Well, I won't stand in your way. You can have the divorce.I know you want to leave home, and I don't want to stand in your way. You're free to go.
stumbling block
something that prevents or obstructs progress.We'd like to buy that house, but the high price is the stumbling block.Jim's age is a stumbling block to getting another job. He's over 60.