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Meaning of one step forward, two steps back | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

A situation in which progress is more than offset by adverse developments.

idiomatic

Examples

“We got all the roofing removed, but the chimney was damaged and we discovered that some rafters had to be replaced. One step forward, two steps back. Or maybe three.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

one swallow does not a summer make one swell foop one that goes the other way one thing after another one thing or another one thousand and one

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