financial setback

USAGE SUMMARY

"financial setback" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to a sudden and significant loss of money or financial stability. Example: The unexpected medical expenses were a major financial setback for the family, forcing them to dip into their savings and cut back on expenses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By making welfare recipients so financially fragile, we ensure that any little unforeseen financial setback will be very damaging.

Forbes

When he was around 12, his father suffered a financial setback, and the boy dropped out of school to help the family financially, farming and running a trap line.

The New York Times

Victims can ill afford another financial setback.

The New York Times - Tech

Has your family suffered a financial setback?

The New York Times - Magazine

Michael, it turns out, had just suffered a financial setback.

The New York Times

Others lost their jobs in the recession or suffered some other financial setback.

Harvard University

In other words, many of these families are just one financial setback away from the streets.

The New York Times

The dismissal, rather than becoming a financial setback, seemed only to inspire Romi's entrepreneurial instincts.

The New York Times

For some, the financial setback of an ambulance trip can be immense.

The New York Times

They often attributed the sudden illness of a child, a household disaster or a financial setback to a witch's curse.

The New York Times

Crop failure for farmers is not merely a financial setback but a disaster that could push families into abject poverty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "financial setback", be specific about the cause and impact. Instead of just saying someone experienced a "financial setback", explain what led to it (e.g., job loss, unexpected medical bills) and how it affected their life (e.g., forced to sell their home, unable to afford healthcare).

Common error

Avoid using "financial setback" as a blanket term without providing context. For example, don't just say "the company faced a "financial setback""; specify what kind of setback it was (e.g., a decline in sales, increased operating costs) and quantify the impact whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "financial setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject complement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a negative financial event or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "financial setback" is a commonly used term to describe an unexpected negative event that impacts one's finances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Analyzing usage patterns, it appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic writing. When using the phrase, it's important to provide specific details about the cause and consequences to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "monetary loss" or "economic downturn" can be used depending on the specific context. In short, "financial setback" is a valuable term for describing financial challenges, provided it is used with clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial difficulty

Highlights the problematic aspect of the financial situation.

monetary loss

Focuses specifically on the aspect of losing money.

fiscal difficulty

Highlights the problematic aspect of the financial situation.

financial strain

Highlights the pressure and stress caused by money problems.

economic downturn

Emphasizes a broader economic context affecting finances.

budget shortfall

Indicates a deficit in available funds compared to what is needed.

economic hardship

Emphasizes the difficulty and suffering caused by financial problems.

income reduction

Specifically refers to a decrease in earnings.

revenue decline

Focuses on the decrease in generated revenue, often in a business context.

pecuniary disadvantage

Uses more formal language to describe a less favorable financial position.

FAQs

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

You can use "financial setback" to describe an unexpected loss or problem related to someone's finances. For example, "The unexpected medical bills caused a significant "financial setback" for the family."

What are some alternatives to "financial setback"?

Some alternatives to "financial setback" include "monetary loss", "economic downturn", or "fiscal difficulty". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "financial difficulty" or "financial setback"?

"Financial difficulty" generally refers to an ongoing struggle, while "financial setback" usually implies a specific, negative event. Choose the phrase that best reflects the duration and nature of the financial problem.

What are common causes of a "financial setback"?

Common causes include job loss, unexpected medical expenses, natural disasters, investment losses, or significant personal events such as divorce. Describing the cause adds context to the "financial setback".