set back: meaning & examples

Open in app

Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    USUKWidespreadneutral
    • To delay or postpone an event, action, or progress; to move to a later time or stage.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The unexpected rain set back the construction project by several weeks.

      The unexpected rain set back the construction project by several weeks.

    • Because of the delay in shipment, the launch was set back until next month.

      Because of the delay in shipment, the launch was set back until next month.

    • They had to set back the meeting after the key speaker canceled at the last minute.

      They had to set back the meeting after the key speaker canceled at the last minute.

  • 2.

    USUKWidespreadneutralformal
    • To hinder, impede, or cause a reversal in progress or development.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The technical difficulties set back the team’s progress significantly.

      The technical difficulties set back the team’s progress significantly.

    • Her injury set back her career because she had to take months off to recover.

      Her injury set back her career because she had to take months off to recover.

    • Economic problems have set back development plans in the region.

      Economic problems have set back development plans in the region.

  • 3.

    USUKWidespreadneutral
    • To move something or someone to a more rearward position; to place farther back.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Please set the chair back against the wall when you’re done using it.

      Please set the chair back against the wall when you’re done using it.

    • The gardener set back the young tree to allow more space for growth.

      The gardener set back the young tree to allow more space for growth.

    • They set the painting back a few inches to align it with the others on the wall.

      They set the painting back a few inches to align it with the others on the wall.

    • He carefully set back the book on the shelf after finishing his reading.

      He carefully set back the book on the shelf after finishing his reading.

  • 4.

    USUKWidespreadneutralinformal
    • To cause someone to suffer a financial outlay or expense (often followed by an amount).

    Examples

    Beta

    • The new equipment set the company back nearly $50,000, but it was necessary for expansion.

      The new equipment set the company back nearly $50,000, but it was necessary for expansion.

    • Replacing the roof set us back a couple thousand dollars we hadn’t budgeted for.

      Replacing the roof set us back a couple thousand dollars we hadn’t budgeted for.

    • The fine for the parking violation set him back a hefty sum he hadn’t expected.

      The fine for the parking violation set him back a hefty sum he hadn’t expected.

  • 5.

    USUKinformal
    • To throw someone off balance or surprise them physically or emotionally.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The shocking news set her back so much that she needed time to recover emotionally.

      The shocking news set her back so much that she needed time to recover emotionally.

    • He was set back by the sudden criticism and struggled to regain his confidence.

      He was set back by the sudden criticism and struggled to regain his confidence.

    • The unexpected question set the speaker back for a moment during the presentation.

      The unexpected question set the speaker back for a moment during the presentation.

Examples:

  • EN: - Everybody set back there? - Yeah.
    ES: ¿Todos listos?
  • EN: Defeat that set back for 20 years the cause of reform in the U.S forever cancelled political chances for Charles Foster Kane.
    ES: Derrota que retrasó por 20 años la causa de la reforma en los EE.UU y que canceló para siempre las aspiraciones políticas de Charles Kane.
  • EN: I've set back the sacred cause of reform, is that it?
    ES: Retrasé la sagrada causa de la reforma, ¿es eso?
  • EN: I postponed the Amanda case for you... and set back the Duffy hearing... and asked for a continuance against the streetcar company.
    ES: He aplazado el caso de Amanda por ti, he atrasado la vista de Duffy y he solicitado un aplazamiento contra la empresa de tranvías.
  • EN: Sentence to set back to 3:00 this morning.
    ES: La sentencia se cumplirá a las 3:00.
  • EN: As soon as we can afford it, we'll get the set back.
    ES: En cuanto podamos permitírnoslo, lo recuperaremos.
  • EN: Unless released for flying duty immediately, recommend that student be set back a class.
    ES: Al no ser liberado para volar de inmediato, ...recordamos que el estudiante se retrasó en clase.
  • EN: Watch him get set back on his heels.
    ES: Ahora lo cortará.
  • EN: Oh, come on, Clavdia. When you don't stand by your convictions, you set back the cause of all women everywhere in the world.
    ES: Si una no se atiene a sus convicciones se retrocede en la causa de todas las mujeres del mundo.
  • EN: Get set back there.
    ES: Listos para el lanzamiento.
  • EN: - Everybody set back there? - Yeah.
    ES: ¿Todos listos?
  • EN: Defeat that set back for 20 years the cause of reform in the U.S forever cancelled political chances for Charles Foster Kane.
    ES: Derrota que retrasó por 20 años la causa de la reforma en los EE.UU y que canceló para siempre las aspiraciones políticas de Charles Kane.
  • EN: I've set back the sacred cause of reform, is that it?
    ES: Retrasé la sagrada causa de la reforma, ¿es eso?
  • EN: I postponed the Amanda case for you... and set back the Duffy hearing... and asked for a continuance against the streetcar company.
    ES: He aplazado el caso de Amanda por ti, he atrasado la vista de Duffy y he solicitado un aplazamiento contra la empresa de tranvías.
  • EN: Sentence to set back to 3:00 this morning.
    ES: La sentencia se cumplirá a las 3:00.
  • EN: As soon as we can afford it, we'll get the set back.
    ES: En cuanto podamos permitírnoslo, lo recuperaremos.
  • EN: Unless released for flying duty immediately, recommend that student be set back a class.
    ES: Al no ser liberado para volar de inmediato, ...recordamos que el estudiante se retrasó en clase.
  • EN: Watch him get set back on his heels.
    ES: Ahora lo cortará.
  • EN: Oh, come on, Clavdia. When you don't stand by your convictions, you set back the cause of all women everywhere in the world.
    ES: Si una no se atiene a sus convicciones se retrocede en la causa de todas las mujeres del mundo.
  • EN: Get set back there.
    ES: Listos para el lanzamiento.
  • EN: And the waves set back in a great vacuum,beautiful
    ES: Las olas se cruzan de manera impresionante. Magnífico.
  • EN: All set back there?
    ES: ¿Todo listo?
  • EN: - Is everything all set back here?
    ES: - ¿Está todo listo por aquí?
  • EN: Well I'm rather tall you know and I try to have the seat set back.
    ES: Soy bastante alto, y necesito que me alejen el asiento.
  • EN: You were putting the croquet set back in the box.
    ES: Guardando el juego de "croquet" en su caja.

Related Idioms

Validation Count: 0

Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

set back: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator