a big setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress or success. Example: "The unexpected loss of funding was a big setback for the project, delaying its completion by several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's a big setback.

The Guardian

Well, folks, a big setback for NASA.

The New York Times

The Pemex fiasco is a big setback.

The Economist

"Obviously, this is a big setback.

The New York Times - Sports

Is it a big setback?

The Guardian

"This was a big setback.

The New York Times - Sports

"Personally, it's a big setback".

The Guardian - Sport

December's airport bombing was a big setback for him.

The Economist

The loss of Pechiney is a big setback for Alcan.

The New York Times

Mr. DeChristopher said, "It's a big setback for us, obviously".

The New York Times

When Jean got injured it was a big setback.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big setback" to clearly and directly describe a notable negative event that hinders progress or success. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a big setback" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the impact is genuinely substantial, to maintain credibility and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a significant hindrance or reversal. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe events affecting projects, teams, and even entire countries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big setback" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a significant obstacle or reversal. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, Sports, and Business, as the analysis of the examples highlighted. While versatile, be mindful of its weight and reserve it for truly impactful situations. Alternatives like ""a major setback"" or ""a significant setback"" offer similar meanings, and you can pick them based on the specific shade you need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major setback

Replaces "big" with "major", emphasizing the significance of the hindrance.

a significant setback

Substitutes "big" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the regression.

a considerable setback

Uses "considerable" instead of "big", denoting a notable degree of adversity.

a substantial setback

Employs "substantial" in place of "big", suggesting a sizable obstruction.

a serious setback

Replaces "big" with "serious", accentuating the severity of the issue.

a large setback

Uses "large" as a synonym for "big", indicating the magnitude of the difficulty.

a heavy blow

Metaphorically describes the setback as a "heavy blow", emphasizing its impact.

a major disappointment

Presents the setback as a "major disappointment", focusing on the emotional impact.

a significant impediment

Describes the setback as a "significant impediment", highlighting the obstruction it presents.

a major obstacle

Replaces the setback with a "major obstacle", underscoring the challenge it creates.

FAQs

How can I use "a big setback" in a sentence?

You can use "a big setback" to describe a situation that has negatively impacted progress. For example, "The project faced "a big setback" when the main investor pulled out".

What are some alternatives to using "a big setback"?

Alternatives include "a major setback", "a significant setback", or "a heavy blow", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a big setback" formal or informal?

"A big setback" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "a substantial setback" may be preferred in highly professional or academic settings.

What's the difference between "a setback" and "a big setback"?

While "a setback" indicates any hindrance, ""a big setback"" emphasizes the magnitude and significance of the impediment. The addition of "big" highlights that the setback is particularly impactful.