slight setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor obstacle or delay in progress towards a goal or objective. Example: "We experienced a slight setback in our project timeline due to unforeseen circumstances, but we are still on track to meet our overall deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Annie Power will go straight to Cheltenham after a slight setback.

The Guardian - Sport

" The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Zacinto has been ruled out of the 2,000 Guineas after suffering a slight setback.

The Guardian - Sport

But his reputation for wringing maximum tension out of a negotiation suffered a slight setback last week.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately Theo had a slight setback in training, and that's the major concern with him," said Roy Hodgson.

The Guardian - Sport

Hiddink will be relieved that a slight setback in Hatem Ben Arfa's recovery from a long-term hamstring injury means he will not be involved.

The Guardian - Sport

She did have a slight setback but I have been riding her in her work and I was happy she would run a good race".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"He had a slight little setback but we checked by scan and there is nothing wrong.

Independent

Despite these slight setbacks, Tree Thinking does an admirable job describing the important parts of phylogenetic biology as well as the educational philosophy behind their framework.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The slight setbacks for both players are unlikely to sway their agent, Scott Boras, to pursue a team-friendly contract.

Los Angeles Times

The slightest setback can cause extensive cancellations and delays.In this section Heathrow: our solution Can India become a great power?

The Economist

It means fans exist on a coiled spring, conditioned by a hyperbolic discourse both within their teams and their news media to see the slightest setback as a disaster.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight setback" to downplay the severity of an issue and maintain a positive outlook. This is especially useful in professional communications or when reassuring stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid using "slight setback" when the issue is genuinely significant. Overly minimizing a serious problem can damage credibility and lead to mistrust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight setback" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a minor delay or obstacle in progress, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight setback" is a commonly used phrase to describe a minor obstacle or delay. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase, often used to downplay the severity of an issue and maintain a positive outlook. While versatile, it's important to avoid exaggerating its impact or misrepresenting the situation. Alternative phrases like "minor hiccup" or "small delay" can be used depending on the context. This phrase appears frequently in news and media, sport and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor hiccup

Focuses more on the unexpected and temporary nature of the problem.

small delay

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the setback.

brief impediment

Highlights the hindering aspect of the setback, but suggests it's short-lived.

temporary difficulty

Broadly describes the setback as a transient challenge.

minor inconvenience

Downplays the severity of the setback, portraying it as a slight bother.

small hitch

Similar to "minor hiccup", suggesting a brief and easily resolved issue.

fleeting obstacle

Emphasizes the transient nature of the setback as a barrier.

modest challenge

Frames the setback as a manageable problem to overcome.

marginal issue

Underscores the insignificance of the setback in the grand scheme of things.

passing snag

Suggests the setback is a minor problem that will quickly resolve itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight setback" to describe a minor obstacle or delay, such as, "The project experienced a "slight setback" due to unexpected weather conditions, but we are still on schedule."

What are some alternatives to saying "slight setback"?

Alternatives include "minor hiccup", "small delay", or "brief impediment", depending on the specific context.

Is "slight setback" formal or informal?

"Slight setback" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal situations, consider more precise alternatives.

What's the difference between "slight setback" and "major setback"?

"Slight setback" indicates a minor issue that doesn't significantly impact progress, whereas "major setback" implies a serious problem that could derail the entire project or goal.