hang-up

noun

Etymology: From hang up (verb).

1. An emotional difficulty or a psychological inhibition.

   “Near-synonyms: neurosis, obsession, complex”

   “We’re said to have so many hang-ups that we don’t even talk about sex until we’re in the pub, and to need to be blind drunk before anything approaching physical contact occurs.”

2. An unforeseen obstacle to progress; a hitch or delay.

   “Near-synonym: setback”

   “What a hang up I got into at once! As I look back on it it's incredible that I could have been so damned dumb.”