be set back
1set\ back\ on\ one's\ heels — • set back on one s heels • knock back on one s heels v. phr. informal To give an unpleasant surprise; upset suddenly; stop or turn back (someone s) progress. Jack brags too much and it set him back on his heels when the coach told him he wasn t… …
2set back — set (someone/something) back to delay or stop the progress of someone or something. Then I needed a second operation, which really set me back. New violence has set back the peace process …
3set back — ► set back informal cost (someone) a particular amount of money. Main Entry: ↑set …
4set|back — «SEHT BAK», noun. 1. a check to progress; reverse: »a temporary setback in one s fortunes, an unexpected setback in a patient s recovery. SYNONYM(S): relapse, retardation. 2. a steplike setting back of the outside wall of a tall building to give… …
5set back — index check (restrain), constrict (inhibit), delay, hinder Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …
6set back — [v] delay, hinder bog down*, decelerate, defeat, detain, embog, hang up*, hold up, impede, mire, retard, reverse, slow, slow down, slow up; concept 130 Ant. advance, forward …
7set back — verb 1. hold back to a later time (Freq. 1) let s postpone the exam • Syn: ↑postpone, ↑prorogue, ↑hold over, ↑put over, ↑table, ↑shelve, ↑defe …
8set back — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms set back : present tense I/you/we/they set back he/she/it sets back present participle setting back past tense set back past participle set back 1) to delay the progress of someone or something The spending… …
9set back — 1) PHRASAL VERB If something sets you back or sets back a project or scheme, it causes a delay. [V n P] It has set us back in so many respects that I m not sure how long it will take for us to catch up... [V P n (not pron)] There will be a risk… …
10set back — {v.} 1. To cause to put off or get behind schedule; slow up; check. * /The cold weather set back the planting by two weeks./ 2. {informal} To cause to pay out or to lose (a sum of money); cost. * /His new car set him back over $3000./ …
