setback
C1Neutral, used in formal, informal, and technical contexts depending on the domain.
Definition
Meaning
An event that delays your progress or reverses some of the progress you have made; a problem that makes something happen later or more slowly than it should.
Any reversal or check in progress, often causing a temporary delay or step backward in achieving a goal. It can also refer to a physical architectural feature, such as a step-like recession in a wall or building.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily conceptualized as a temporary obstacle or reversal on a path to a goal. It implies an expectation of forward progress that has been interrupted.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The architectural sense (a step-like recession in a wall) is more common in technical American English.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, denoting an unwelcome but often surmountable obstacle.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English corpus data, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suffer/face/experience/encounter + a setbacksetback + to/in + (project/career/plans)prove to be + a setbackVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A temporary setback on the road to success.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The failed product launch was a major setback for the company's annual targets.
Academic
The loss of the early data proved a significant setback to the longitudinal study.
Everyday
Failing my driving test was a bit of a setback, but I'll book it again.
Technical
The zoning laws require a 10-foot setback from the property line.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The supply chain issues could set back production by several months.
- The injury set back his recovery programme.
American English
- The legal challenge set back the construction timeline.
- It set her back nearly a thousand dollars.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The rain was a setback for our picnic.
- He had a setback in learning the new language.
- The team suffered a serious setback when their star player was injured.
- The political scandal was a major setback for the ruling party.
- Despite this temporary setback, the research team remains confident of achieving its objectives.
- The court's ruling constitutes a significant setback for environmental campaigners.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a runner on a track (SET to go) being forced BACK a few steps by a strong wind. SET + BACK = SETBACK.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY FORWARD (a setback is a step back on that journey).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "установить назад" (to set back). The noun is "неудача", "помеха", "задержка", "регресс".
- The architectural term "отступ" is a different, specialized meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'It setback our plans' is incorrect; use 'set back').
- Confusing with 'set back' (phrasal verb) which means to delay or cost.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'setback'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a setback is typically a temporary obstacle or reversal. The core meaning implies a delay or check in progress, not a final failure.
No, 'setback' is a noun. The related phrasal verb is 'set back' (two words), meaning to delay or cost a certain amount.
A 'setback' is a partial or temporary reversal on the path to a goal. A 'failure' implies a more definitive lack of success in achieving the goal itself.
Not directly. The word has an inherently negative connotation. Euphemisms like 'learning experience' or 'challenge' might be used in a positive reframing.