An explanation of the different meanings of the English phrasal verb 'set back' from a native speaker, with lots of examples in context
Hello and welcome to my website for English learners all about phrasal verbs where I explain their different meanings to help you understand, learn and use them.
In this instalment of Phrasal Verbs Explained, we are focussing on the much overlooked phrasal verb 'set back'. In the post, I will explain three different applications that it has in English and provide you with lots of examples of each one in context. So, sit back (not set back 😉), relax and let's get started!
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SET BACK: KEY INFORMATION
Usage | Medium |
Number of meanings | 3 |
Past tense forms | Set back / Set back |
Separable? | Yes |
MEANINGS (Click to jump to each one)
THE BASICS
The phrasal verb 'set back' is formed by combining the verb 'to set' with the prepositional particle 'back' and before we look at the different meanings that it has as a phrasal verb, let's first consider the meanings of these individual words.
The word 'set' is distinguished in English as having the most meanings and uses in the entire language. To give you an example, when 'set' is used as a verb, it has more than 30 different uses and meanings! This may seem like a lot but many of them are very specific and I can guarantee that most native speakers do not use all of them. The definition of the verb 'to set' that you should be aware of for this post is 'to put something in a specific place or position'.
John set the vase carefully on the table.
The teacher set the books in a neat pile on her desk.
We set the chairs around the dining table ready for dinner.
The jeweller set the diamond into the engagement ring.
Roger set his suitcase by the door, ready for his trip.
Next, we have the prepositional particle 'back', which is primarily used to describe the notions of reversing or returning and both of these ideas are carried across into the phrasal verbs that it appears in (e.g. give back and turn back). Additionally, it can also add the ideas of delay (hold back) and resistance (fight back) to phrasal verbs. You should also note that when 'back' functions as an adverb, it can mean 'at a distance away from something' and this meaning will be key to understanding the first meaning of 'set back' that we will cover.
So, now that we have covered the basics, let's take a look at the different meanings of the phrasal verb 'set back'....
MEANING 1: To put something a distance away from something else
CEFR Language Level | B2 - Upper intermediate |
Usage | Medium |
Where is it used? | Everywhere |
Potential synonyms | To tuck away, to put back, to place at a distance |
Separable? | Yes |
The first application of 'set back' that we will cover in the post is the literal meaning that we get when we combine the two words 'set' and 'back', which is 'to put something a distance away from something else'.
Nouns commonly used with this application....
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We use this first application when we are talking about two different things and their spatial relation to one another. To put it another way, let's use an example and imagine that we have an object (X) and we want to talk about where it is situated compared to a second object (Y).
If we take the meanings of the individual words that we looked at earlier, we arrive at the idea of placing or putting something (object X) at a distance away from something else (object Y). I should add here that the "distanced" object (X) is often considered to be in the background somewhere.
Most commonly, you will will come across this literal application in reference to houses, buildings and man-made structures and their distance from a road or another place of interest such as a river or another building.
It is important to note that the additional preposition 'from' is normally required to specify place Y. However, if the context is clear enough, specifying it may not be needed as it might have already been mentioned or is understood.
The architects set the new library back from the street in order to create a spacious front garden.
The builders set back the fence a few feet to comply with zoning regulations.
We set the dining table back from the fireplace to make room for more seating.
The developers set the apartment complex back a few more metres than originally planned to reduce noise from the busy road.
Helen set back the chairs from the edge of the balcony for safety reasons.
One other very common way that this application is used is in a passive sense when we talk about one place being situated a distance away from another. In some cases, 'set back' can function as an adjective here.
The house is set back from the main road, providing a quiet and private environment.
The new shopping centre is set back from the street to allow space for a large car park.
The mansion was set back behind tall trees, making it barely visible from the entrance.
The restaurant is set back from the beach, giving diners a peaceful view without the noise of the waves.
The office building is set back a few metres from the pavement to create a welcoming entrance space.
MEANING 2: To delay the progress of something
CEFR Language Level | C1 - Advanced |
Usage | Common |
Where is it used? | Everywhere |
Potential synonyms | To hinder, to impede, to delay, to obstruct, to hamper, to hold up |
Separable? | Yes |
The second application of 'set back' is definitely the most commonly used of its three meanings and is simply 'to delay the progress of something'.
Nouns commonly used with this application....
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We are all very busy people with busy lives and many of us have plans and projects that are in progress, whether that be projects at work, wedding plans or efforts to lose weight and improve our fitness. As you will be aware though, life isn't always fair or on our side and oftentimes our plans and projects get delayed for reasons that are usually outside of our control.
When these delays occur, we can use the phrasal verb 'set back' to describe them. This is often a time delay, used when the expected readiness or finish date of something is postponed.
The project has been set back several times due to financial issues.
The company’s expansion plans were set back due to financial difficulties.
The loss of the crucial funding has set the development of the new vaccine back and we are now not sure when it will be ready.
In addition, it can also be used for when plans do not go smoothly and we need to make changes and amendments to deal with unexpected situations that arise.
Adam's ankle injury during training set him back just before the big match.
The train strikes have set the government’s efforts to improve public transport back.
Many people say that the new government's legislation has set back the rights of many minority groups.
Moreover, when we use this application of 'set back', we want to let people know how late something is going to be as a consequence and it is common to use this with the preposition 'by' + the length of the delay.
The unexpected storm set back the construction project by several weeks.
We are very sorry to announce that a technical glitch has set back the product launch by at least a month.
I had a bad cold, which set me back by a day or two, but my thesis is now ready to be submitted.
Note that this application is a separable one and I would say that native speakers use it both separably and inseparably in roughly equal measure.
THE NOUN 'SETBACK'
At this point in the post, it is a really good idea to mention to you that the noun 'setback' also exists and is used just as much, if not even more commonly, than this second phrasal verb meaning.
A setback is quite simply a hurdle or obstruction that delays or prevents a procedure or process. It can also be used to describe something bad that happens in your life and stops you from living the way that you wish to or doing something that you want to do.
Her knee injury was a major setback for the athlete just before the championship.
The project faced a serious setback when the funding was unexpectedly cut.
Despite the early setback, the team managed to recover and win the match.
The economic downturn was a significant setback for small businesses.
Losing the court case was a major setback for our campaign.
EXERCISE: Can you change the example sentences above from the noun 'setback' to the phrasal verb 'set back'. Write your example sentences in the comments section at the end of the post.
MEANING 3: To cost someone an amount of money
CEFR Language Level | C1 - Advanced |
Usage | Medium |
Where is it used? | Everywhere |
Potential synonyms | To cost, to fetch, to come to, to knock back, to be worth |
Separable? | Always |
The third and final meaning of 'set back' is all about cold hard cash and means 'to cost someone an amount of money'.
This application is an informal one that is always used in a separable way with the structure 'to set someone back + an amount of money'. As you will note, the name of the person who is to pay the cost or a pronoun needs to go between the words 'set' and 'back'.
While this application can be used to talk about the cost of anything, it is common to use it when the amount of money that someone has to pay for something is high or surprisingly high or perhaps just when you want to complain about the high cost of something that you have bought.
The luxury cruise around the Caribbean set me back nearly £5,000!
If you want to upgrade to the latest smartphone, it will set you back at least £1,200.
The repairs to Luke's car set him back a small fortune.
Buying a house in London can easily set you back half a million pounds.
That designer handbag set Simone back a few hundred quid.
A meal at that fancy restaurant will set you back at least £100 per person.
We have now reached the end of this post and I just want to say thank you for clicking on my post and reading it. I hope that you've enjoyed it and have been able to learn something new about the phrasal verb 'set back'. If you enjoyed this post, please go ahead and check out some of my other posts.
Now it is YOUR turn. Can you think of a sentence yourself using 'set back'. Write it in the comments section below if you can, or alternatively any comments, suggestions or feedback that you may have....don't be shy!!!
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THE END
Her knee injury set the athlete back just before the championship.
The project was set back when the funding was unexpectedly cut.
Although the team was set back early, they managed to recover and win the match.
The significant economic downturn set the small businesses back
Losing the court case set significantly our campaign back