struck a major setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struck a major setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a significant obstacle or difficulty encountered in a process or project. Example: "The team was making great progress until they struck a major setback due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fall brought a major setback.

The New York Times

For Aden, the blast was a major setback, striking as it did at an operation, United States Navy refueling, that was agreed to in 1999 as a gesture of American confidence in President Saleh.

The New York Times

Tabei faced a major setback during the climb when an avalanche struck and she lost consciousness for approximately six minutes before her Sherpa dug her out.

Forbes

The boycott lasted a year and was a major setback for polio eradication.

Globalization and Health

I suffered a major setback in a 2007 accident, when a dump truck backed up and struck me while I was crossing the street near the Atlanta Merchandise Mart.

The New York Times

Disney suffered a major setback in 1941 when the studio's animators went on strike for three months.

Britannica

While the hosts will fancy striking back strongly with Sekope Kepu and Christian Lealiifano back in their starting XV, the loss of Pocock for the next six weeks is a major setback.

The Guardian - Sport

"This was a major setback.

The New York Times - Sports

Or a major setback for feminism?

Independent

That's a major setback.

The Washington Post

Still, it has been a major setback.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struck a major setback" to describe a sudden and significant impediment that halts or hinders progress on a project or goal. It implies a negative impact that requires attention and adjustment.

Common error

While "struck a major setback" is acceptable in many situations, be mindful of using it excessively in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hit a snag" or "faced a problem" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck a major setback" functions as a descriptor of an event or situation that has significantly hindered progress. It is often used to introduce or explain a problem that has negatively impacted a project, plan, or endeavor. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struck a major setback" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant hindrance or obstacle encountered. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its current frequency is absent due to limited examples, it conveys a clear and impactful meaning. Alternatives such as "encountered a significant obstacle" or "faced a considerable hurdle" can provide variety. When writing, remember to use the phrase to denote sudden and impactful problems, and avoid overuse in informal settings. Though there are no specific examples, Ludwig AI's response and analysis of similar examples confirm that the phrase is usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encountered a significant obstacle

This alternative uses 'encountered' and 'obstacle' to convey the challenge faced.

Faced a considerable hurdle

This option replaces 'setback' with 'hurdle', highlighting the difficulty in overcoming it.

Met with a serious impediment

This alternative employs 'impediment' to underscore the obstruction encountered.

Experienced a substantial difficulty

This choice focuses on the 'difficulty' aspect, emphasizing the troublesome experience.

Suffered a significant reverse

Here, 'reverse' is used to indicate a backward step or loss in progress.

Underwent a critical delay

This highlights the aspect of time and postponement caused by the setback.

Ran into a major snag

This uses a more informal term, 'snag', to describe an unexpected problem.

Hit a major roadblock

This option uses 'roadblock' as a metaphor for an obstacle preventing progress.

Came up against a considerable challenge

This alternative uses 'challenge' to indicate a difficult task or situation.

Was severely hampered

This option focuses on the restrictive nature of the setback, hindering progress.

FAQs

How can I use "struck a major setback" in a sentence?

You can use "struck a major setback" to describe when something unexpectedly hinders progress. For example, "The project team "struck a major setback" when the funding was cut."

What are some alternatives to saying "struck a major setback"?

Alternatives include "encountered a significant obstacle", "faced a considerable hurdle", or "met with a serious impediment", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "encountered a setback" or "struck a major setback"?

"Encountered a setback" is a more general term, while "struck a major setback" emphasizes the severity and unexpected nature of the problem. The choice depends on the degree of impact you want to convey.

What's the difference between "setback" and "obstacle" in the context of "struck a major setback"?

While similar, a "setback" typically implies a temporary delay or reversal, whereas an "obstacle" suggests something that actively blocks progress. "Struck a major setback" highlights the negative impact and temporary hindrance more directly.