Setback - English meaning

verb

(of wind) move creating an air current.

Usage examples:

A cold breeze was blowing in off the sea

noun

A strong wind.

Usage examples:

We're in for a bit of a blow

noun

A powerful stroke with a hand, weapon, or hard object.

Usage examples:

He received a blow to the skull

noun

A circumstance that complicates something; a difficulty.

Usage examples:

There is a complication concerning ownership of the site

noun

Something that makes a situation more difficult

Usage examples:

This complication had not been foreseen., he died from complications of diabetes.

noun

Something that makes a situation more difficult, or the act of doing this

Usage examples:

Dave couldn't find his passport at the airport and then there were further complications when fiona…

noun

The state or condition of being difficult.

Usage examples:

Guy had no difficulty in making friends

noun

The fact of not being easy, or of being hard to do or understand

Usage examples:

[ u ] he has some difficulty hearing people when they speak softly., [ c usually pl ] in 1986 he ex…

noun

The fact of not being easy to do or understand

Usage examples:

With difficulty we finished the job, but only with great difficulty., difficulty of the difficulty …

noun

Sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one's hopes or expectations.

Usage examples:

To her disappointment, there was no chance to talk privately with luke

noun

The unhappiness or discouragement that results when your hopes or expectations have not been satisfied, or someone or something that is not as good as you had hoped or expected

Usage examples:

[ u ] her disappointment showed on her face., [ c ] after two losing seasons, we felt he was a disa…

noun

The feeling of being disappointed

Usage examples:

Avoid disappointment get tickets early to avoid disappointment., to someone’s disappointment to my …

verb

Move (something) into a different position with a jerk.

Usage examples:

She hitched up her skirt and ran

noun

A temporary difficulty or problem.

Usage examples:

Everything went without a hitch

verb

Hook or entangle

noun

An important topic or problem for debate or discussion.

Usage examples:

The issue of racism

verb

Supply or distribute (something) for use or sale.

Usage examples:

Licences were issued indiscriminately to any company

noun

A subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about

Usage examples:

There continues to be a great deal of debate over the property tax issue., isn’t the need to hire m…

verb

Strike a surface noisily to attract attention, especially when waiting to be let in through a door.

Usage examples:

He strolled over and knocked on a door marked enquiries

noun

A sudden short sound caused by a blow, especially on a door to attract attention or gain entry.

Usage examples:

There was a sudden knock at the door, the noise seemingly unnatural and loud in the silence that i …

verb

To repeatedly hit something, producing a noise

Usage examples:

Someone is knocking at the door., jane knocked on the window to attract his attention., alice accid…

noun

Bad luck.

Usage examples:

The project was dogged by misfortune

noun

Bad luck, or an unlucky event

Usage examples:

[ c ] never take delight in someone’s personal misfortunes., [ u ] the school nurse was as mean a l…

noun

An unlucky accident.

Usage examples:

Although there were a few minor mishaps, none of the pancakes stuck to the ceiling

noun

An accident or unlucky event

Usage examples:

[ u ] the parade took place without mishap.

noun

A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.

Usage examples:

They have financial problems

adjective

Denoting or relating to people whose behaviour causes difficulties to themselves and others.

Usage examples:

Practitioners help families develop strategies for managing problem behaviour in teens

noun

Something that causes difficulty or that is hard to deal with

Usage examples:

Financing the camp’s athletic program is a problem., he has a serious health problem., i’m having p…

noun

A change to an opposite direction, position, or course of action.

Usage examples:

A dramatic reversal in population decline in the alps

verb

Move backwards.

Usage examples:

The lorry reversed into the back of a bus

adjective

Going in or turned towards the direction opposite to that previously stated.

Usage examples:

The trend appears to be going in the reverse direction

noun

A complete change of direction or action.

Usage examples:

The gall actuates a reverse of photosynthesis

adjective

Tripping or losing balance while walking; moving with difficulty.

Usage examples:

They began their stumbling walk home

verb

Trip or momentarily lose one's balance; almost fall.

Usage examples:

Her foot caught in the rug and she stumbled

adjective

Walking in a way that is awkward or not controlled

Usage examples:

A stumbling figure weaved its way through the shadows., he walked with an awkward, stumbling gait.,…

verb

Make (someone) unhappy, disappointed, or worried.

Usage examples:

The accusation upset her

noun

An unexpected result or situation.

Usage examples:

The greatest upset in boxing history

adjective

Unhappy, disappointed, or worried.

Usage examples:

She looked pale and upset