meet with a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meet with a setback" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where progress is hindered or delayed due to an unexpected issue or challenge. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team met with a setback when the main server crashed unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The talented but fragile six-year-old, who runs in the same Michael Buckley colours as Finian's Rainbow, had not done so since last season, having met with a setback during the autumn.

Independent

RE: Update on New Lines of Business As you would of heard by now, the recent LCN 2000(R) initiative to increase annual revenue by hustling stocks to greedy investors met with a setback last week due to unforeseen federal indictments.

The New York Times

And it provided some vindication for Marks & Spencer's chairman, Luc Vandevelde, who joined the company nearly two years ago, vowing to return the tired British icon to a semblance of its former glory, only to meet with a series of setbacks.

The New York Times

"This is a horse we've held in high regard from the spring onwards, we just met with a slight setback in the spring, so we had to be patient with him.

The Guardian - Sport

As things turned out, the Reliance Fresh expansion met with a series of setbacks.

Forbes

Punters hoping for a share-out of the £23m "won" in controversial circumstances on Betfair last December met with a substantial if not unexpected setback on Saturday when the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) backed the betting exchange's decision to void all the bets.

The Guardian - Sport

Buildings and vehicles ablaze, power and water cut off, and refugees fleeing with pushcarts do not — at least to my wife and I — paint the portrait of laid back island life where every setback is met with a smile.

Forbes

– was met with a swift "no".

The Guardian - Film

They met with a young British officer.

The New Yorker

The book met with a mixed reception.

Wikipedia

Consider meeting with a professional financial advisor.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meet with a setback", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hindered or delayed. Be specific about the nature of the setback and its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "meet with a setback" without specifying what project, plan, or endeavor experienced the setback. Lack of clarity reduces the sentence's informative value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meet with a setback" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used within a clause to indicate that something has encountered an obstacle or hindrance that has delayed or negatively impacted its progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meet with a setback" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe encountering an obstacle or delay. Despite its lack of exact examples in Ludwig AI's database, its general structure and usability are confirmed. It functions as a verbal phrase and conveys information about an impediment. The register is neutral, suitable for various contexts, but more formal alternatives exist. To ensure clarity, always specify what experienced the setback. While the phrase itself is valid, its effective use depends on the context in which it is used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter a problem

This alternative focuses on encountering a difficulty, without necessarily implying a delay or reversal.

run into difficulty

This suggests encountering a situation that requires effort to overcome.

face an obstacle

This suggests confronting a barrier that impedes progress.

be hampered by a difficulty

This indicates that a difficulty is hindering progress.

suffer a reverse

This alternative emphasizes a negative turn or downturn in progress.

be stalled by an obstacle

This focuses on being stopped or delayed by an obstacle.

experience a delay

This focuses on the postponement of progress.

undergo a hitch

Implies a temporary or unexpected difficulty during a process.

hit a snag

This implies encountering a minor, unexpected problem.

find oneself in a quandary

Suggests a state of perplexity or uncertainty, often due to complications.

FAQs

How can I use "meet with a setback" in a sentence?

Use "meet with a setback" to describe an unexpected obstacle or delay that hinders progress. For instance, "The project "met with a setback" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "meet with a setback"?

You can use alternatives like "encounter a problem", "face an obstacle", or "suffer a reverse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "meet with a setback" formal or informal?

"Meet with a setback" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "meet with a setback" and "experience a delay"?

"Meet with a setback" implies a broader range of obstacles, while "experience a delay" specifically refers to a postponement. A setback can include delays but also encompass other types of difficulties.