business setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "business setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a business experiences difficulties or challenges that hinder its progress or success. Example: "The company faced a significant business setback when their main product was recalled due to safety concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Ritter's songwriting crash coincided with what could be seen as a business setback.

The New York Times - Arts

Here are a few examples: "Ben & Jerry's Half Baked ice cream is the best flavor to eat while wallowing in self-pity after a business setback".

The New York Times

The company will suffer a humiliating business setback and lose a considerable amount of money if it fails to get the licenses.

The New York Times

Cynics say that Google tried to turn a business setback (it lags in the Chinese market behind a local search engine, Baidu) into a bid to burnish its brand.

The New York Times

Those who earned less this year than in the past — perhaps because of a layoff or a business setback — may qualify for the first time to do a conversion, said Ed Slott, a C.P.A. in Rockville Centre, N.Y.

The New York Times

Executives and analysts say sound business planning at Halla took a backseat to Mr. Chung's fierce desire to make up for a previous business setback and to match his older brother, who founded Hyundai Group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He had numerous business setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, despite several business setbacks, 3-D Matrix has a market value of roughly $1 billion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An article last Sunday about business setbacks encountered by the pharmaceutical giant Merck misstated the number of its recent layoffs.

The New York Times

And both banks are now suffering from business setbacks and rising numbers of problem loans as the economy slows.

The New York Times

A series of business setbacks for Grove began in 1970 and culminated in 1985, when Rosset sold the house.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "business setback", be specific about the cause and impact to provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "business setback" as a generic term. Provide context about what specific issues caused the setback, such as market changes or internal mismanagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "business setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms it's a proper and usable English phrase, often referring to a challenging situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "business setback" is a grammatically correct and usable term that describes a negative event or situation hindering a business's progress. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's important to use it with specificity, clearly indicating the causes and impacts of the setback. Common alternatives include "business downturn" and "economic difficulty", each emphasizing slightly different aspects. "Business setback" is most frequently found in news and media but is also relevant in formal business and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business downturn

Focuses on a decline in business activity or performance.

economic difficulty

Emphasizes financial hardship or economic challenges faced by the business.

financial obstacle

Highlights a barrier or impediment related to finances.

commercial failure

Emphasizes the lack of success in the marketplace.

trade disruption

Focuses on interruptions or disturbances in business operations.

market decline

Refers to a downturn specifically in the market where the business operates.

revenue shortfall

Highlights a deficiency in expected income or earnings.

profitability crisis

Emphasizes a severe problem related to making profits.

strategic misstep

Focuses on an error in business planning or decision-making.

operational challenge

Highlights difficulties in the day-to-day running of the business.

FAQs

How to use "business setback" in a sentence?

You can use "business setback" to describe a temporary obstacle a company faces, as in, "The company experienced a significant "business setback" due to the pandemic".

What can I say instead of "business setback"?

You can use alternatives like "business downturn", "economic difficulty", or "financial obstacle" depending on the specific context.

Is "business setback" a formal phrase?

"Business setback" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider using alternatives like "commercial failure" or "trade disruption" for added precision.

What are common causes of a "business setback"?

Common causes include market changes, economic downturns, increased competition, poor management decisions, or unforeseen events like natural disasters. Identifying the specific cause provides a clearer understanding of the "business setback".