set back

About 0.98 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To delay or obstruct.

   I expect it will set us back by a day or so, but I think a side trip will be worthwhile.

2. verb To remove from or allow distance.

   Set it back from the road by twenty or thirty feet.

3. verb To install or position behind a boundary or surface, or in a recess.

   The statue was set back in a niche.

4. verb To cost money.

   How much do you suppose that fancy dress set her back?

5. verb To reverse, go backwards.

Similar words

put off postpone defer knock back offset put back remit put over hold over shelve

Word family

sets back setting back