Sticking point

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

sticking point
    n 1: a point at which an impasse arises in progress toward an
         agreement or a goal

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Sticking \Stick"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Stick}, v.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Sticking piece}, a piece of beef cut from the neck. [Eng.]
      

   {Sticking place}, the place where a thing sticks, or remains
      fast; sticking point.
      [1913 Webster]

            But screw your courage to the sticking place,
            And we'll not fail.                   --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Sticking plaster}, an adhesive plaster for closing wounds,
      and for similar uses.

   {Sticking point}. Same as {Sticking place}, above.
      [1913 Webster]