one step forward, two steps back

listen to the pronunciation of one step forward, two steps back
English - English
A situation in which progress is more than offset by adverse developments

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.

one step forward, two steps back

    Pronunciation

    Etymology

    () Derived from the idiom "two steps forward, one step back," which originates with an anecdote about a frog in a well
Favorites