bump in the road

A problem that arises and interferes with forward progress (usually only temporarily). The project hit a bump in the road when Tom suddenly resigned, but I know we'll be fine—we just need to redistribute his assignment and keep going. Oh honey, I know you're upset that you didn't get the lead in the play, but it's just a bump in the road—and you still got a great part! Her injury was certainly a bump in the road, but it didn't stop her from becoming the best tennis player in the world by the end of the year.