a little setback

USAGE SUMMARY

"a little setback" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a small obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress or success. Example: Despite a little setback in the beginning, the team was able to bounce back and win the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It's just a little setback.

The New York Times

"You had a little setback," he was told.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had a little setback this year with my left hamstring," Martinez said.

The New York Times - Sports

In Suffolk County, Marie Banks chose to think of the weather as "a little setback" on her farm in Ridge.

The New York Times

"I've had a little setback, but it's not too serious and fingers crossed I should be OK.

The Guardian - Sport

We had a little setback with him after that, he had colic and I think we rushed him a bit.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"He had a slight little setback but we checked by scan and there is nothing wrong.

Independent

"His preparation was encouraging – he had a little, little setback recently but it looks very minor.

The Guardian - Sport

You get across after just a small little setback.

Huffington Post

The consulate was considerably less fortified than most foreign consulates and embassies, located close to a highway overpass, and with little setback from the street.

Los Angeles Times

Any little setback will be a pretty large chunk of time.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little setback", follow it with a positive outlook or a plan for recovery to maintain a constructive tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a little setback" to describe major failures or significant delays, as this can undermine the seriousness of the situation and damage credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little setback" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a minor impediment. It is often used to soften the impact of negative news.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little setback" is a commonly used phrase to describe a minor obstacle or difficulty. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct. It's often used in News & Media contexts to downplay negative situations or setbacks. While versatile, it is important to consider the level of formality required in your writing and avoid using it to describe major failures to avoid appearing insensitive. Consider alternatives like ""a minor hitch"" or ""a slight delay"" for more specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor hitch

Replaces "setback" with "hitch", implying a temporary problem.

a slight delay

Focuses on the aspect of time, suggesting a brief postponement.

a small obstacle

Emphasizes the hindering nature of the event, using "obstacle" instead of "setback".

a temporary difficulty

Highlights the transient nature of the problem.

a brief interruption

Suggests a short-lived disruption to progress.

a momentary snag

Uses "snag" to denote a minor issue causing a pause.

a passing impediment

Emphasizes that the obstacle is not permanent.

a short-term reverse

Indicates a temporary shift in the opposite direction.

a fleeting challenge

Presents the setback as a challenge that quickly disappears.

a glitch in the system

Suggests a malfunction or error that causes a minor setback.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little setback" to downplay a minor difficulty or obstacle. For example, "We experienced "a little setback" with the project timeline, but we're confident we can recover quickly".

What are some alternatives to saying "a little setback"?

Alternatives include "a minor hitch", "a slight delay", or "a small obstacle", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, it's generally appropriate, especially when you want to convey a sense of optimism and resilience in the face of a minor challenge. However, in very formal contexts, consider using more precise language.

What's the difference between "a little setback" and "a major setback"?

"A little setback" refers to a small, temporary obstacle that doesn't significantly impede progress. "A major setback" indicates a more serious problem that could have significant and long-lasting consequences.