a huge setback

USAGE SUMMARY

"a huge setback" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a significant and discouraging setback or obstacle (especially in a situation, plan, or process). Example sentence: The company experienced a huge setback when their latest project encountered a major technical issue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be a huge setback".

The New Yorker

But that would be a huge setback.

The New York Times

It was a huge setback.

The New York Times - Health

A loss would be a huge setback".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a huge setback," he said.

The New York Times

"The opposition has suffered a huge setback".

The New York Times

If Newcastle lose it will be a huge setback.

Independent

Eoin Morgan said this "was not a huge setback.

The Guardian - Sport

And a huge setback for American foreign policy.

The New York Times

"It's a huge setback," Coach Jeff Van Gundy said.

The New York Times - Sports

That failure dealt a huge setback to genetic drugs.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a huge setback", be specific about what was set back and why it's significant. Providing context helps the reader understand the full impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a huge setback" when the issue is minor or easily recoverable. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact when a truly significant problem occurs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a huge setback" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing something that has negatively impacted a situation, plan, or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a huge setback" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant negative event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, although it appears most frequently in news and media. When using the phrase, be clear about what was set back and its implications, and avoid overusing it for minor issues. Alternatives like "a major setback" or "a significant impediment" can offer slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major setback

Replaces "huge" with "major", indicating a significant but perhaps not overwhelming negative impact.

a major obstacle

Highlights the hindering aspect of a major problem.

a significant impediment

Substitutes the entire phrase, highlighting the hindering aspect of the setback.

a serious stumbling block

Highlights the challenging and impeding nature of the setback.

a considerable reverse

Uses "reverse" instead of "setback", emphasizing a negative change in direction or progress.

a crippling blow

Emphasizes the damaging and limiting nature of the setback.

a massive failure

Highlights the failure aspect, suggesting a more complete or impactful negative outcome.

a grave disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of letdown and unmet expectations.

an unfortunate turn of events

Shifts focus to the unlucky circumstances that caused the setback.

a substantial hitch

Implies a temporary problem rather than a full-blown setback.

FAQs

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

You can use "a huge setback" to describe a significant obstacle or reversal in progress. For example, "The project suffered "a huge setback" when the funding was unexpectedly cut."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "a huge setback"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "a minor delay", "a small hiccup", or "a slight inconvenience" if the situation isn't severely impacted.

Is it always appropriate to use "a huge setback" in formal writing?

While "a huge setback" is acceptable, in some formal contexts, you might prefer more precise language. Consider alternatives like "a significant impediment" or "a substantial reverse" to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between "a huge setback" and "a minor setback"?

"A huge setback" implies a serious and impactful negative event that significantly hinders progress. In contrast, "a minor setback" suggests a small, easily overcome obstacle that doesn't greatly affect the overall outcome.