set back

2 meanings

Meanings
  1. 1 delay the progress of something B2
  2. 2 cost someone a lot of money (informal) B2
1 set sth back

delay the progress of something

B2

What does "set back" mean in this sense?

To set something back means to cause a significant delay or disruption to its progress, pushing it further from completion than it was before. It suggests more than just a slight slowdown — there is a real, often damaging impact on plans, projects, or development. You will often see it used with a time expression that shows how far back progress has been pushed, such as 'by three months' or 'by several years'. This phrasal verb appears frequently in news reporting, business, and professional contexts, though it is equally natural in everyday conversation. Note that the related noun 'setback' — written as one word — is also very common and can sometimes feel more natural, particularly in formal writing.

Examples

How to use it

set + object + back (+ by time phrase)

The most common pattern, where a short noun object is placed between 'set' and 'back', often followed by a time expression showing the extent of the delay.

The funding cuts set the research back by at least a year.

set + pronoun + back

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'set' and 'back' — it cannot follow the particle.

We had a major technical problem and it set us back by two weeks.

set back + long noun phrase

When the object is a long or complex noun phrase, it typically follows the particle rather than being inserted between 'set' and 'back'.

The dispute set back all ongoing negotiations between the two governments.

be set back (+ by cause) (+ by time phrase)

The passive form is natural when the focus is on what was delayed rather than what caused the delay.

The launch was set back by months after a series of unexpected technical failures.

could / would / will + set + object + back

Modal verbs are commonly used with this phrasal verb to talk about potential or future disruptions to progress.

Another round of strikes could set back the recovery by years.

Common Collocations

set back a projectset back progressset back plansset back recoveryset back negotiationsset back the schedule

Common Mistakes

Pronoun after the particle

When the object is a pronoun such as 'it', 'us', or 'them', it must go between 'set' and 'back', not after 'back'. Placing a pronoun after the particle sounds ungrammatical.

✗ The delay set back us by several weeks.
✓ The delay set us back by several weeks.
Confusing the 'delay' sense with the 'cost' sense

"Set back" also has an informal meaning related to cost ('That holiday set me back €2,000'). To avoid mixing them up, remember that the 'delay' sense takes a project, plan, or process as its object and usually includes a time expression — not a person and a sum of money.

✗ The bad weather set back the project €50,000.
✓ The bad weather set the project back by three months.
Confusing 'set back' with 'put back'

'Put back' usually refers to rescheduling a specific date or appointment, while 'set back' emphasises harmful disruption to overall progress. They are not always interchangeable.

✗ The meeting was set back to Thursday.
✓ The meeting was put back to Thursday. / The delays set back the entire project by months.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. It is especially common in news and business contexts. Note that the related noun 'setback' (written as one word) is very frequently used and is often more natural in formal writing than the verbal form.

2 set sb back

cost someone a lot of money (informal)

B2

Sense 2: What does "set sb back" mean?

To say something 'set you back' a certain amount means it cost you that much money — but with an informal edge that implies the price was significant, surprising, or a bit painful to pay. It's the kind of phrase you'd use when telling a friend what you spent on a holiday, a piece of equipment, or a big repair job. Native speakers rarely use it for small or trivial amounts unless they're being ironic — you wouldn't normally say a coffee 'set you back £3' in earnest. The phrase always takes a person as its object, which sits between 'set' and 'back', followed by the amount. It's a natural choice in conversation and informal writing, but in formal or professional contexts, 'cost' is the better option.

Examples

How to use it

set + person (pronoun) + back + amount

The most natural pattern — a pronoun representing the person who paid always sits between 'set' and 'back', followed by the cost.

The concert tickets set us back over two hundred euros.

set + person (noun) + back + amount

When using a noun instead of a pronoun for the person, it still goes between 'set' and 'back'.

The home renovation set the owners back a small fortune.

must have + set + person + back + amount

This pattern is very common for speculating about what someone else paid, often with mild surprise.

That watch must have set him back a fair amount — it looks expensive.

question: how much + did + subject + set + person + back?

Used to ask casually about the cost of something, often implying it wasn't cheap.

How much did the new kitchen set you back?

will / going to + set + person + back + amount

Used when referring to an expected or anticipated cost in the future.

Replacing the roof is going to set us back several thousand pounds.

Common Collocations

a fortunea lotthousandsa small fortunequite a bita fair amount

Common Mistakes

Missing the personal object

Learners sometimes drop the person and say 'it set back a lot', but this phrasal verb always needs a personal object between 'set' and 'back'. Without it, the sentence is incomplete.

✗ The repairs set back quite a bit.
✓ The repairs set me back quite a bit.
Wrong word order for the personal object

The person must always go between 'set' and 'back' — placing it after 'back' or leaving it at the end is unnatural and incorrect.

✗ The holiday set back us a lot.
✓ The holiday set us back a lot.
Using it for trivial amounts

'Set back' implies the cost was notably large or surprising. Using it for very small sums sounds odd or unintentionally ironic — stick to 'cost' for everyday low prices.

✗ My coffee set me back £2.50.
✓ My coffee cost £2.50. / That designer coffee machine set me back £250.

Usage

This phrasal verb is informal and implies the cost was large or surprising — it is not used for small, trivial amounts unless you are being ironic. Use 'cost' instead in formal writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'set back' always need a time expression like 'by two weeks'?

Not always, but including a time expression is very common and makes your sentence more informative. Phrases like 'by several months' or 'by years' show how serious the delay is, which is the main point of this phrasal verb. Without a time phrase, the sentence is still grammatical, but it can feel incomplete.

Can I use 'set back' in the present continuous, like 'is setting back'?

This is possible but sounds slightly awkward in most situations. 'Set back' usually refers to a disruption that happens and then has an ongoing effect, so the simple present, simple past, or present perfect tend to sound more natural. For example, 'the delays have set back the project' is more natural than 'the delays are setting back the project'.

Can 'set back' be used in the passive?

Yes, the passive is quite natural with this phrasal verb. It is typically used when you want to focus on what was delayed rather than what caused the delay. For example: 'The development was set back by months due to supply issues.'

Is 'setback' (one word) different from 'set back' (two words)?

'Setback' is a noun, while 'set back' is the phrasal verb. They share the same core idea of a delay or reversal in progress, but they are used differently in a sentence. You might say 'the project suffered a major setback' (noun) or 'the problem set the project back' (verb). In formal writing, the noun form is often more natural.

What kinds of things can be 'set back'?

Typically, the object is an abstract goal or process — things like a project, recovery, plans, negotiations, research, or development. You wouldn't normally use 'set back' in this sense with a person as the direct object or with a sum of money, as that would suggest the 'cost' meaning instead.

Does 'set back' always mean something cost a lot of money?

Not always a specific large amount, but it does imply the price was significant or noteworthy — enough to be worth mentioning. Saying something 'set you back' a trivial sum sounds odd unless you're being ironic. It's the connotation of 'ouch, that cost me' that makes it different from simply saying 'cost'.

Can I use 'set back' in formal writing, like a report or business email?

It's best avoided in formal writing. 'Set back' in this sense is informal and conversational, so in professional or academic contexts, 'cost' is the safer and more appropriate choice. Save 'set back' for blogs, casual emails, and everyday conversation.

Can 'set back' be used in the passive, like 'I was set back £500'?

Technically it's grammatically possible, but native speakers almost never use it this way for the financial meaning. It sounds very unnatural. Always use the active structure: 'It set me back £500'.

Does 'set back' have another meaning? I've seen it used differently.

Yes — 'set back' also has a completely different meaning related to delays (for example, when a problem slows down progress on a project). The financial sense is easy to spot because it always involves a person and a monetary amount, not a time period or a plan.

Can I use 'set back' in the present continuous, like 'this trip is setting me back a lot'?

This sounds unnatural to most native speakers. For the financial sense, the simple present, simple past, or modal forms work much better — for example, 'this trip set me back a lot' or 'this trip will set me back a lot'. The continuous forms are best avoided here.

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