set back — delay progress
phrasal verbB2IELTS 5.5+neutralcommon
to cause something to happen later than planned or expected, usually by creating a problem or obstacle.
Say it like a native
Textbook The malfunction impeded the project's progress by several weeks.
Native The breakdown set the project back by weeks.
'Set back' is the natural verb for delaying progress; 'impeded the project's progress' is heavy.
Pattern: set back [object]
In use
- The heavy snow set back the construction by two weeks.daily life
- If there are unexpected problems, like equipment breaking down, it can set back the whole project and make it difficult to finish on time.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ The delay set back the schedule for two weeks.
✓ The delay set the schedule back by two weeks.
Use 'set back BY [a time]'; with the amount it's usually 'set X back by Y'.
Common collocations
set back + progress— the project, by weeks, her recovery, plans
Don't confuse it
'Set back' is different from 'put off,' which usually means to postpone something on purpose, while 'set back' is about an unexpected delay.