The phrase "a disastrous setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant failure or obstacle that negatively impacts progress or success.
Example: "The unexpected loss of funding was a disastrous setback for the research project, delaying its completion by several months."
Alternatives: "a major blow" or "a significant hindrance."
Anger like his over American foreign policy has led to a disastrous setback for the global effort against polio.
It's a disastrous setback, no matter how much administrators try to spin it as an opportunity for new ventures.
That has stirred a fierce debate over whether the term is a triumph for women, or a disastrous setback.
Overturning the ruling would be a disastrous setback, and all those who care about human rights in Africa should pressure President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to let the decision stand.
Rather than a disastrous setback for Ukrainians, he said the appearance of Ukrainian military vehicles flying Russian flags was a "breakthrough" for the Ukrainian offensive, though it proved to be nothing of the sort.
The unseemly race between British and American forces to be the first to reach Rome was the culmination of a series of blunders by the Allies, including a disastrous setback on the Rapido River, and at Anzio, where they were nearly thrown back into the sea.
Critics said the review was another disastrous setback but Tidal Lagoon Power put a brave face on the announcement saying it was a "clear signal" that ministers could see the advantage of this innovative technology.
Mr. Obama swamps Mr. McCain by 62percenttoto 28percentt — a disastrous G.O.P. setback, given that President Bush took 44percentt of the Hispanic vote in 2004, according to exit polls.
Following the Tories' disastrous setback in the recent election, our alleged Prime Minister was lobotomised by having her key aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill forcibly removed.
But, at a time when the company should have been celebrating XR's approval, AHP began to bog down from a series of disastrous setbacks.
They will all need to avoid "disastrous setbacks," he says, and many of them will need to combat "corruption".
