a momentary setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a momentary setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary obstacle or difficulty that does not have a lasting impact. Example: "Despite experiencing a momentary setback in her project, she remained optimistic and continued to push forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This, though it dismayed Montesquieu, was but a momentary setback.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's just a momentary setback for all of us," Tejpal said.

The Guardian - Books

"There has not been a single lawsuit yet where we have not had at least a momentary setback.

The New York Times

The result of the government's nearly ten-year battle against Cohen's empire was looking increasingly like a momentary setback.

The New Yorker

After losing a senatorial election — a momentary setback — David meets a terrific young woman, Elise (Emily Blunt), a ballet dancer, in a men's room at the Waldorf.

The New Yorker

Other Bush administration officials played down Mr. bin Laden's apparent vanishing act as only a momentary setback in the search for Al Qaeda's leader.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

That devastating blow to her body would instead be a mere momentary setback, she decided; a unique opportunity, even.

Vice

But with a few steps forward, a momentary embarrassing setback was inevitable.

The New York Times - Sports

When a change project falls a day behind schedule, if leaders and employees believe that successful change is an unlikely outcome, they will regard this momentary setback as the dead canary in the coalmine of their change initiative.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Hicks said, "As always, despite this momentary setback, SpongeBob's eternal optimism prevails, which is always a great message for everyone".

Huffington Post

I learned that true transformation requires a vision big enough to carry you through the pain of momentary setbacks and disappointments.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a momentary setback", ensure the context clearly indicates the situation is indeed temporary and doesn't undermine the overall progress or goal.

Common error

Avoid using "a momentary setback" to describe a situation that has significant long-term consequences, as it can minimize the true impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a momentary setback" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, describing a temporary obstacle.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a momentary setback" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a temporary difficulty or delay. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for various contexts, though particularly frequent in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the situation's transient nature and doesn't minimize the significance of potentially serious issues. Alternatives like ""a temporary hitch"" or ""a brief delay"" can offer nuanced shades of meaning, depending on the context. Be mindful of overstating or understating the impact when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a temporary hitch

Replaces "setback" with "hitch", suggesting a minor, temporary problem.

a brief delay

Focuses on the aspect of time, indicating a short-term postponement.

a passing difficulty

Emphasizes the transient nature of the problem.

a short-lived obstacle

Highlights the obstacle being short-lived.

a minor hiccup

Uses "hiccup" to suggest a small, usually inconsequential interruption.

a transient issue

Emphasizes that the problem is temporary and will not last.

a fleeting impediment

Replaces "setback" with "impediment", indicating something that hinders progress briefly.

a negligible reversal

Downplays the significance of the setback by describing it as "negligible".

a mere pause

Presents the setback as simply a pause or interruption.

a small reverse

Uses the word "reverse" to indicate a step backwards that is also small.

FAQs

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

You can use "a momentary setback" to describe a temporary delay or problem that doesn't have lasting consequences. For example: "Losing the first game was just "a momentary setback"; the team quickly recovered and won the championship."

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

Alternatives include "a temporary hitch", "a brief delay", or "a minor hiccup", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "a momentary setback" the same as "a temporary setback"?

Yes, "a momentary setback" and "a temporary setback" are very similar in meaning. Both describe a situation that is not permanent and is expected to be resolved.

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

"A setback" generally refers to any obstacle or delay. Adding "momentary" specifies that the setback is brief and not expected to cause long-term problems. Thus, ""a momentary setback"" is less severe.