face a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

"face a setback" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone encounters an obstacle or difficulty that hinders their progress or success. Example: After months of hard work, the project faced a major setback when the main investor pulled out at the last minute.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If prompt action is not taken, the country will face a setback.

The New York Times

But independent experts said it was hard to understand what could have caused heat intense enough to sear the carbon-composite skin on the top of the jet, leaving the possibility that Boeing could still face a setback if problems are found with another system on the plane.

The New York Times

In contrast to the meandering conversations of psychoanalysis, a typical CBT exercise might involve filling out a flowchart to identify the self-critical "automatic thoughts" that occur whenever you face a setback, like being criticised at work, or rejected after a date.

The Guardian

"The people want to see the continuation of the democratic process and to ensure that it does not face a setback," he said in his televised speech.

BBC

That was a big disappointment but I had to deal with it, and at some stage Kane will have to face a setback too, whether it be an injury or some bad luck.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The company faced a setback in 2007, when its patent for cryogenic encapsulation was invalidated by a federal court jury.

The New York Times

Mr. Iskan faced a setback only a few months into the job when he was forced to revoke his first decree to give more flexibility to executives in state companies to take major business decisions.

The New York Times

The Japanese government, which has been trying to follow the Fed's lead in stimulating its own economy, faced a setback on Thursday in the plummet of the Nikkei.

The New York Times

(At the same time, the company faced a setback in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where a St . Regisopened in May 2007. This summer, Starwood severed ties with the hotel, citing a contractual dispute. The hotel has since been rechristened a Ritz-Carlton).

The New York Times

Uber lost $2.2bn£1.77bnbn) in the first nine months of the year despite a surge in revenues, according to reports, adding to the taxi-hailing app's woes as it faces a setback in plans to launch self-driving cars.

The Guardian - Tech

LONDON — Heineken's efforts to secure a controlling stake in Asia Pacific Breweries is facing a setback after Thai Beverage increased its stake in Fraser & Neave, the Singapore-based conglomerate that had agreed to sell its rights in the Asian brewer to Heineken for around $4.1 billion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about challenges, use "face a setback" to add nuance by specifying the kind of difficulty experienced.

Common error

Avoid using "face a setback" when the situation involves a complete and irreversible failure. "Setback" implies a temporary delay, whereas "failure" suggests a conclusive end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face a setback" functions as a verbal phrase. It describes the action of encountering an obstacle or difficulty that temporarily hinders progress or success. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face a setback" is a correct and usable phrase that describes encountering a temporary obstacle or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a temporary hindrance rather than a complete failure. Alternatives such as "encounter a difficulty" or "experience a reversal" can be used to provide nuance. Remember, a "setback" is a temporary delay that doesn't necessarily mean the end of the road.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encounter a difficulty

Replaces "setback" with a more general term, indicating any form of difficulty.

Experience a reversal

Focuses on the aspect of something going backwards or opposite to the intended direction.

Suffer a blow

Emphasizes the negative impact or shock associated with the setback.

Meet with obstacles

Highlights the presence of hindrances along the path to a goal.

Undergo a hitch

Suggests a minor, temporary problem or delay.

Confront a challenge

Presents the setback as something that needs to be overcome, emphasizing resilience.

Be affected by adversity

Uses a more formal and abstract term to describe the negative circumstances.

Go through a rough patch

Indicates a period of difficulty or trouble.

Hit a snag

Implies an unexpected problem or obstacle that temporarily halts progress.

Stumble upon an impediment

Highlights the accidental nature of encountering an obstacle.

FAQs

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

You can use "face a setback" to describe a temporary obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress. For example, "The project "faced a setback" when the funding was delayed".

What are some alternatives to "face a setback"?

Alternatives include "encounter a difficulty", "experience a reversal", or "suffer a blow", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "face a setback" or "experience a setback"?

Both "face a setback" and "experience a setback" are grammatically correct. "Face a setback" emphasizes the act of confronting the obstacle, while "experience a setback" focuses on undergoing or living through the difficulty. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between a "setback" and a "failure"?

A "setback" is a temporary delay or obstacle that hinders progress, while a "failure" implies a complete lack of success. "Face a setback" suggests the possibility of recovery, whereas failure often signifies an end.