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Phrase Meanings » set back
What does "set back" mean?
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Slow down the progress of, hinder, as in The project was set back by the frequent absences of staff members. [First half of 1500s]
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Cost, as in That car set me back twenty thousand dollars. [Colloquial; c. 1900]
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Change to a lower level or earlier time, as in We set back the thermostat whenever we go on vacation, or On October 10 we have to set back the clocks. [First half of 1600s] Set back the clock is also used figuratively to mean “return to an earlier era,” as in He wished he could set back the clock to those carefree high-school days. Also see set forward.
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