- set back
- verb1. hold back to a later time (Freq. 1)-
let's postpone the exam
• Syn:• Derivationally related forms:↑putoff (for: ↑put off), ↑deferment (for: ↑defer), ↑deferral (for: ↑defer), ↑shelver (for: ↑shelve), ↑prorogation (for: ↑prorogue), ↑postponement (for: ↑postpone), ↑postponer (for: ↑postpone)• Hypernyms: ↑delay• Entailment: ↑cancel, ↑call off, ↑scratch, ↑scrub, ↑reschedule• Verb Frames:-Somebody ——s something
-Somebody ——s something PP
2. slow down the progress of; hinder (Freq. 1)-His late start set him back
• Derivationally related forms: ↑setback• Verb Frames:-Something ——s somebody
3. cost a certain amount-My daughter's wedding set me back $20,000
• Syn: ↑knock back, ↑put back• Verb Frames:-Something ——s somebody
* * *
set back [phrasal verb]1 set (something or someone) back or set back (something or someone) : to make the progress of (something or someone) slower or more difficult : to cause (something or someone) to go back to an earlier or worse conditionA recent lack of funding has set back research on the disease.
setting back progress
• • •Main Entry: ↑set
Useful english dictionary. 2012.