to fall at the first hurdle
01
to fail or encounter difficulties at the beginning of a task or process, before any significant progress has been made
例子
The athlete fell at the first hurdle of the race, ending his chances of winning a medal.
to fall at the final hurdle
01
to encounter failure or difficulties just before reaching the end or achieving a goal
例子
The candidate was leading in the polls throughout the campaign, but a major scandal emerged just before the election caused him to fall at the final hurdle.



























