Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
one step forward, two steps back

one step forward, two steps back

7.7
Progress that bigger problems later undo
  • idiom
translation icon : un paso adelante, dos pasos atrás
  • It feels like I'm taking one step forward, two steps back in my career.

Examples

  • Trying to master the new software was one step forward, two steps back; every time I learned something, I ran into more problems.

  • His recovery seemed to be one step forward, two steps back, as good days were always followed by setbacks.

  • Dealing with bureaucracy often feels like one step forward, two steps back when every solution brings new issues.

  • After every improvement, there seems to be one step forward, two steps back.

  • Dealing with bureaucracy often feels like one step forward, two steps back when every solution brings new issues.

  • His recovery seemed to be one step forward, two steps back, as good days were always followed by setbacks.

  • Trying to master the new software was one step forward, two steps back; every time I learned something, I ran into more problems.

Synonyms

setback
vsone step forward, two steps back
148 3.6

A problem that delays progress or makes things worse

is specifically about progress being negated by larger setbacks
reversal
vsone step forward, two steps back
22 4.3

An unexpected event that causes a setback or loss

is when that hindrance cancels out earlier advancement
vicious cycle
vsone step forward, two steps back
14 4.8

A situation where one problem causes another and makes things worse

is about single progress then a bigger reversal rather than a loop
back to square one
vsone step forward, two steps back
  • Informal
12 4.3

To start again after a failure

is when recent gains are wiped out by even bigger problems
vicious circle
vsone step forward, two steps back
5 3.9

A situation where one problem causes another and makes the first problem worse

is focused on gains lost to larger setbacks, not ongoing cycles
backsliding
vsone step forward, two steps back
3 7.2

A return to old bad habits after making progress

is about progress being undone rather than just slipping back
going backward
vsone step forward, two steps back
1 3.7

Moving back to an earlier state instead of making progress

is more specific about setbacks undoing earlier gains

Surface Forms

one step forward, two steps back main

Morphology

one + step + forward, + 2 + steps + back

The expression literally combines counted movements ('one/two', 'step/steps') with directions ('forward', 'back'), so a learner who knows these words can infer that a small gain is being outweighed by a larger setback. This spatial/comparative metaphor is common across languages and follows a transparent compositional pattern, making the overall meaning readily derivable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

One step forward, two steps back comes from a simple picture of walking: you take one step forward but then are pushed two steps back, so you end up worse than before. That's why it means 'progress is undone by bigger setbacks'.