a tough setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging obstacle or disappointment that someone has encountered. Example: "After months of hard work, the unexpected cancellation of the project was a tough setback for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a tough setback for him".

The New York Times - Sports

It is a tough setback for Curry, who shed 40 pounds in the off-season in an attempt to revive his career.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Growing up at the poverty line in a recession-stricken state during the 80s, with some tough setbacks that my wonderful parents did not deserve, I had trouble really understanding that I or anyone could climb their way up from nothing and change the world for the better.

TechCrunch

But with that have come tough setbacks and strong criticism, and the realization that seeming stability is actually quite fragile.

The New York Times

Despite recent setbacks in a tough economy, and as its stock now sits around $3 a share, McCann received a compensation package, including cash and stock, worth $2.44 million for fiscal 2012.

The New York Times - Sports

It remains a tough sell and this was a setback to the club's hopes of scrambling to a top-four finish.

The Guardian - Sport

"We all vote for Jensen's flag bills," a Democratic assemblyman told me, "because we know they'll get killed somewhere else, and why put yourself through a tough vote?" After the most recent setback, Jensen resorted to a tactic so effective that many of his colleagues wondered why he hadn't tried it before: he attached his proposal as a rider to the state budget bill.

The New Yorker

The challenges of a tough economy, poor participation numbers, or financial setbacks don't deter a strong Millennial leader.

Huffington Post

His chances of securing any substantial agreement on his renegotiation bid from the summit suffered further setbacks after warnings by foreign leaders that he is in for a tough ride at today's EU summit.

Independent

"A tough, tough group".

Independent

I too had been through a tough year — my brother killed himself, one of my best friends died a slow death from cancer, and I had a serious setback in my work life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a tough setback", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific event or situation constitutes the setback. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a tough setback" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations that genuinely represent a significant challenge or obstacle to progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a difficult or challenging obstacle or disappointment, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough setback" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, denoting a significant challenge or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the setback and avoid using it for minor issues. Consider alternatives like "a difficult hurdle" or "a significant reversal" for variety. Always aim for precision to clearly convey the impact of the setback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult hurdle

Focuses more on the challenge aspect, implying something that needs to be overcome with effort.

a major impediment

Emphasizes the hindering aspect, suggesting something that obstructs progress.

a significant reversal

Highlights the change in direction, suggesting a step backward after progress.

a considerable challenge

Focuses on the demanding nature of the situation, indicating that it requires significant effort to address.

a notable obstacle

Emphasizes that something is blocking the progress.

a severe blow

Implies a forceful negative impact, suggesting emotional or practical damage.

a crushing disappointment

Highlights the emotional impact, emphasizing the feeling of sadness and discouragement.

a bitter pill to swallow

Emphasizes the unpleasantness of accepting the situation, suggesting it's something difficult to come to terms with.

a major stumbling block

Focuses on the obstruction as a cause for failure.

an unfortunate difficulty

Emphasizes the unfortunate and challenging aspect of the situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to experience "a tough setback"?

Experiencing "a tough setback" means facing a significant and challenging obstacle or reversal in progress toward a goal. It suggests a situation that requires considerable effort to overcome.

How can I describe "a tough setback" in simpler terms?

You could use phrases like "a difficult challenge", "a major obstacle", or "a significant reversal" to convey a similar meaning.

What are some synonyms for "tough" when describing a setback?

Instead of "tough", you could use words like "difficult", "severe", "significant", or "major" to describe the severity of the "setback".

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

Yes, "a tough setback" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing, depending on the specific context. In more formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "a significant obstacle" or "a major impediment".