The phrase "a setback at the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there has been a delay or obstacle in a process or plan, often followed by a specific context or event.
Example: "The project faced a setback at the final stages of development, causing a delay in the launch."
Alternatives: "a delay in the" or "an obstacle in the".
HUGO CHÁVEZ suffered a setback at the polls on September 26th, when a majority of voters rejected the congressional candidates of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
They suffered a setback at the Palace of Auburn Hills when the Indiana Pacers came and defeated them on their home court, but recovered with a couple of impressive road victories against talented Western conference sides this week.
The treaty suffered a setback at the final negotiating conference last week because Iran, Syria and North Korea voted to block the consensus of all 193 member states needed for approval there.
By then it was clear that the Republicans appeared likely to suffer a setback at the polls and that the administration was poised to begin reconsidering its Iraq strategy.
ImClone shares, which had been falling gradually because of rumors of a setback at the F.D.A., fell 16percentthehe next business day and continued to decline over the following two months.
The Barisan Nasional party, which has dominated parliament and ruled Malaysia for half a century, suffered a setback at the polls after calling a snap election in March 2008.
Correction: March 17 , 2001 Saturday Because of an editing error, a headline in the Company News column of Business Day yesterday about a setback at Intuit, the maker of personal-finance software, misstated the problem.
To some conservatives, the new spending agreement represents a setback at a time when Republicans control the federal government.
The Mustangs were coming off a tough loss, a setback at Laguna Beach last Friday.
Whatever difficulties we face whether it's a health issue or a loss or a setback at work the hope that tomorrow will be better is what helps us get up every morning, put one foot in front of the other, and carry on.
