The term 'place an obstacle in front of' can be summarized by the word 'STYMIE, ' which is a six-letter word. STYMIE means to hinder or obstruct someone's progress, usually by placing an obstacle in their way. It is derived from the Scottish game of golf, where a player's ball was blocked by another player's ball, thus hindering their progress. In modern usage, it is often used to describe any situation where someone is prevented from achieving their goal due to an obstacle.