a crippling setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crippling setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or difficulty that severely hinders progress or success. Example: "The unexpected loss of funding was a crippling setback for the project, forcing the team to reevaluate their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

One senior Bush official said that while the governor could endure a defeat here next Saturday, it would be a crippling setback with the potential to lead major supporters to defect to Mr. McCain.

The New York Times

"It's a setback, but it's by no means a crippling setback," said Harvey Lichtenstein, the chairman of the two-year-old nonprofit development corporation, which is coordinating a 10-year, $560 million plan to create a cultural district of theaters, dance studios, loft housing and performance spaces.

The New York Times - Arts

The long quest to revive the nation's nuclear power industry suffered a crippling setback Monday when two South Carolina utilities halted construction on a pair of reactors that once were expected to showcase a modern design for a new age of nuclear power.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His departure is seen not only as a crippling blow to Democratic efforts to regain control of the Senate but also as a setback to across-the-aisle cooperation, which is increasingly rare these days.

The New York Times

The rebellion had been struck a crippling blow.

Wikipedia

The 2018 midterm election looked last Tuesday like a serious but not crippling setback for Republicans, yet the picture has grown grimmer for the party since then as a more complete tally of votes has come in across the country.

The New York Times

The resulting German-occupied territory held 64% of France's pig-iron production, 24% of its steel manufacturing and 40% of the total coal mining capacity, dealing a serious, but not crippling setback to French industry.

Wikipedia

But it was not the crippling setback it could have been.

The New York Times

As Vote Hemp notes in its press release, Kentucky is not the first state to push for industrial hemp at the state level, only to encounter crippling setbacks due to federal strictures.

Huffington Post

This has a crippling impact.

Independent

A crippling responsibility.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a crippling setback", consider the emotional impact. This phrase is best suited when the setback has significant negative consequences or causes substantial disruption.

Common error

Avoid using "a crippling setback" for minor inconveniences or temporary delays. Reserve it for situations where the impact is genuinely severe and long-lasting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crippling setback" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation, event, or decision that severely hinders progress or success. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable in written English, especially to show a significant negative impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a crippling setback" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant hindrance or failure that severely impacts progress or success. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, particularly in formal and professional contexts such as news reports, business analyses, and academic papers. While alternatives like ""a devastating blow"" or ""a major impediment"" exist, "a crippling setback" is particularly effective when emphasizing the long-lasting and potentially irreversible nature of the negative impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a devastating blow

Emphasizes the emotional or destructive impact of the setback, highlighting the severe consequences.

a major impediment

Focuses on the obstructive nature of the setback, portraying it as a significant barrier to progress.

a crushing defeat

Highlights the overwhelming nature of the failure, indicating a loss that is difficult to recover from.

a severe hindrance

Stresses the difficulty imposed by the setback, suggesting a significant obstacle that slows down progress.

a significant obstacle

Focuses on the hindering aspect of the setback, portraying it as a notable barrier to overcome.

a serious regression

Emphasizes the backward movement caused by the setback, highlighting a return to a previous, less desirable state.

a grave disadvantage

Highlights the unfavorable position resulting from the setback, indicating a significant competitive disadvantage.

a substantial drawback

Focuses on the negative aspect of the setback, portraying it as a notable disadvantage or flaw.

a difficult challenge

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the situation caused by the setback, highlighting the need for effort and resilience.

a considerable complication

Focuses on the added complexity resulting from the setback, highlighting the increased difficulty in achieving the desired outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "a crippling setback" to describe a situation where progress is severely hindered. For example, "The loss of funding was "a crippling setback" for the research project".

What are some alternatives to "a crippling setback"?

Alternatives include "a devastating blow", "a major impediment", or "a crushing defeat", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes "a crippling setback" different from "a minor setback"?

"A crippling setback" implies a severe and potentially irreversible hindrance, while "a minor setback" suggests a temporary delay or inconvenience that does not significantly impact overall progress.

Is "a crippling setback" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a crippling setback" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing serious impediments in business, politics, or other significant contexts. It conveys a strong sense of severity and impact.