a painful setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a painful setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfortunate event or obstacle that causes distress or difficulty, often in a personal or professional context. Example: "After months of hard work, the unexpected cancellation of the project felt like a painful setback for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But it's also a painful setback for urban planning in New York.

The New York Times - Arts

All of this leads analysts to conclude that the crackdown Sunday was a painful setback for democratization in Belarus.

The New York Times

Regardless of the cause, the crash has dealt a painful setback to Sharm el Sheik, a beacon of the Egyptian tourism industry that is still suffering from a global travel slump.

The New York Times

The vote by the Senate on Saturday to block a bill to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant students was a painful setback to an emerging movement of immigrants and also appeared to leave the immigration policy of the Obama administration, which has supported the bill and the movement, in disarray.

The New York Times

Re "What Will be Left of Gehry's Vision for Brooklyn?," by Nicolai Ouroussoff (Architecture, Weekend Arts, March 21): The cancellation of Atlantic Yards would not be a "painful setback for urban planning" but a victory for Brooklyn and for responsible future development.

The New York Times

This was a painful setback in every sense.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Last week, a federal judge in Washington handed the gun industry a painful legal setback in its efforts to prevent the Obama Administration from attacking the highly-profitable trafficking of assault rifles to the Mexican drug cartels.

Huffington Post

If Montgomerie does not win this major at age 38, it may be the most painful setback of all.

The New York Times - Sports

The new slug underscores the apparent fact that, despite painful setback, Microsoft is still pressing forward with its Windows 10 effort for smartphones — regardless of what we've seen, most things seem to be the same.

TechCrunch

It was a terrible setback.

The New York Times

Sean McNamara recounts Ms. Hamilton's story, from her efforts to resume competition -- she returned to her board in less than a month -- and her painful setbacks to her efforts to find healing through Christianity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a painful setback", ensure the context clearly establishes what the setback is and why it is considered painful, providing specific details for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a painful setback" in situations where the difficulty is minor or easily overcome. Reserve it for situations that genuinely cause significant distress or hinder progress substantially.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a painful setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an event or situation that represents a significant negative occurrence, causing distress or hindering progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a painful setback" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant negative event or difficulty that causes distress or hinders progress. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in formal business settings. While grammatically sound, it's important to ensure its usage aligns with the true impact of the situation, avoiding overuse in minor circumstances. Alternatives like "a difficult reversal" or "a major disappointment" can offer nuanced variations. The phrase serves to highlight the negative consequences and implications of the situation, often eliciting empathy or understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a step backwards

Focuses on the regression in progress.

a difficult reversal

Focuses on the challenge and change of direction rather than the emotional impact.

a crushing blow

Emphasizes the severity and emotional impact of the negative event.

a major disappointment

Highlights the feeling of unmet expectations.

a source of discouragement

Focuses on the demotivating effect of the setback.

a significant impediment

Emphasizes the hindering nature of the setback.

a heavy burden

Emphasizes the weight and difficulty caused by the setback.

a tough break

An informal way of expressing an unfortunate event.

a regrettable hitch

Highlights the unfortunate and disruptive nature of the setback.

an unfortunate turn of events

Highlights the unexpected and negative change in circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a painful setback" to describe an event that causes significant disappointment or difficulty, such as "The project's cancellation was "a painful setback" for the team".

What are some alternatives to "a painful setback"?

Alternatives include "a difficult reversal", "a crushing blow", or "a major disappointment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a painful setback" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing significant challenges or negative developments in business, politics, or other serious contexts. However, consider alternatives like "a significant impediment" for a more neutral tone.

What distinguishes "a painful setback" from "a minor inconvenience"?

"A painful setback" implies a significant negative impact on progress or well-being, causing emotional distress or substantial difficulty. In contrast, "a minor inconvenience" refers to a slight disruption or annoyance that is easily resolved.