Phrasal verb
set back
Meanings
to delay progress or cause something to happen later
to cost someone a particular amount of money
to place something farther back from the front, edge, or a previous position
Definition
To set back something is to delay progress or cause plans to happen later than expected.
“Set back” most often means to delay progress or make a plan happen later than intended. It can also mean to cost someone an amount of money. In another common use, it means to place something farther back from the front or edge of something.
Examples
- The storm set back the outdoor concert by an hour.
- I finally fixed the car, but the parts set me back a lot.
- She set back the vase so it wouldn’t fall off the shelf.
- They thought they were ahead, but a power outage set back the whole project.
Common mistake
Learners often forget that “set back” is separable in some meanings and say “set back it” instead of “set it back.”
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.