The phrase "a significant setback in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a major obstacle or difficulty encountered in a process, project, or situation.
Example: "The unexpected funding cuts resulted in a significant setback in our research timeline."
Alternatives: "a major obstacle in" or "a considerable hindrance to".
Mr. Corzine's announcement was a significant setback in the effort of party officials seeking to oust Mr. McGreevey immediately.
The plant's critics also maintain that Shell's ethane cracker represents a significant setback in the region's long battle to clean up its air.
The failure to bring the ex-nuncio to trial marks a significant setback in Francis's efforts to tackle sexual abuse within the Catholic church.
The move is a significant setback in a county that has reeled in recent years from downsizings and relocations by large corporations, and it is expected to send Westchester's vacancy rate -- which had finally been dropping -- upward once again.
For the ICC, Bashir's vanishing act, following his similar though less dramatic escapades in Egypt, Libya and Saudi Arabia, is a significant setback in the court's quest to establish its effectiveness and extend its reach.
Rocked by the resignations of a pair of high-ranking officials from her party and a significant setback in elections last month, Mrs. Merkel finds herself embroiled in possibly the worst political crisis since she became chancellor in 2005.
For a team with championship expectations, losing him is a significant setback, but in his absence the Yankees have received inspired performances from relievers pitching with elevated responsibility, like Dave Robertson, Joba Chamberlain and Luis Ayala.
"First swing, first throw," he said, "It's a little like, 'Hey, just letting you know; I'm still here.' " Derek Jeter, who had a significant setback last week in his recovery from a left ankle injury, felt similar soreness when he first started playing again, and it turned out he had another fracture in his ankle.
The matter is serious enough for a spokesman for the party, the National League for Democracy, to say that it was "highly unlikely" the newly elected members would be sworn in, which would be a significant setback to liberalization in a country that has been starting to move away from decades of hermetic dictatorship.
Redknapp is blessed with creative players but Van der Vaart's absence is a significant setback when put in the context of the way he dictated long spells of this match.
I agree with Thomas L. Friedman that Ralph Nader's efforts could result in a significant setback for environmentalism should George W. Bush prevail in Florida (column, Dec. 8).
